Star Spangled Banner flies over original Washington to mark USA Independence Day

The Star Spangled Banner is raised over Washington Old Hall, the ancestral home of America's first president, as the annual 4th of July celebrations got underway this morning, organised in partnership by the National Trust, Friends of Washington Old Hall and Sunderland City Council.
Picture shows students from George Washington Primary School with Mayor and Mayoress Barry and Carol Curran and Jon Gann from Washington DC — The Star Spangled Banner is raised over Washington Old Hall, the ancestral home of America's first president, as the annual 4th of July celebrations got underway this morning, organised in partnership by the National Trust, Friends of Washington Old Hall and Sunderland City Council. Picture shows students from George Washington Primary School with Mayor and Mayoress Barry and Carol Curran and Jon Gann from Washington DC

The ancestral home of America’s first president – George Washington – provided the venue for the annual Fourth of July celebrations this morning as scores of school children took part in the event.

One of the highlights of the day was the raising of the stars and stripes flag by special guest Jon Gann from Washington DC, creator and director of DC Shorts - a short film festival in Washington DC – while the American national anthem was sung.

The Mayor of Sunderland, Coun Barry Curran said: “When I became Mayor of Sunderland this was one of the annual events I most looked forward to, representing the people of our city at an occasion which symbolises our unique links with the United States and its capital.

Picture shows Robyn Brown from the National Trust leading the ceremonies

“The Friendship Agreement between our city and Washington DC is something we can all be proud of, and something which continues to create significant benefits.

“The event is all about celebrating our shared past, but also an opportunity to look forward to our shared future and it is fantastic to have our partnership with Washington DC so much at the heart of today’s celebration”

Jack Stoker, chairman of Sunderland Youth Parliament, gave a reading from the ‘Declaration of Independence’ and Martyn Foster from Broadway Junior School read Martin Luther King’s ‘The Dream’.

Presentations on the theme of Liberty were also given by John F Kennedy Primary school, George Washington Primary School and Broadway Junior School.