Illinois saw the launch of its yearlong bicentennial celebration during a special ceremony outside the Will County Office Building in Joliet on Dec. 4.
County Executive Larry Walsh and other local leaders kicked off the advance celebration by hoisting the state's bicentennial flag commemorating Illinois' birth date, Dec. 3, 1818, a county release said.
“We are proud in Will County to display this beautiful flag and acknowledge our state’s 200th birthday,” Walsh said in the release. “Illinois is the 21st state in the union and I am proud of our progress. Despite the current challenges we face, it is important to note the proud history of progress over many past challenges. The future is still bright and our citizens are what (make) Illinois great.”
The state';s yearlong celebration, titled “Born, Built & Grown,” will showcase events across the state recognizing “the people, places and things that make Illinois strong, kind and beautiful,” the release stated.
“As a lifelong resident of Will County, I have personally witnessed many changes over the years,” Walsh added in the release. “I am very proud of the history of Will County and the state of Illinois and look forward to our continued success. We will proudly display this bicentennial flag over the county building in 2018.”
For more events the state has planned, go to http://illinois200.com.
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