Did a group of Charlotte patriots really declare independence from Britain more than a year before the rest of the colonies? Or is the tale of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence — the “Meck Dec,” said to be signed on May 20, 1775 — just a case of wishful thinking and poor recollections?

As the 250th anniversary of the Meck Dec approaches, this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast looks deeper into that enduring debate — one that has been raging for more than two centuries, and one that even Thomas Jefferson and John Adams weighed in on.

The episode is a recording of a panel discussion held in early May 2025 at The Sharon at SouthPark retirement community and led by The Ledger’s Cristina Bolling. The panelists were:

Scott Syfert,  co-founder of the May 20th Society, chairman of the Trail History Board and author of “The First American Declaration of Independence?”

Kendall Kendrick, director of the Charlotte Trail of History and  Charlotte Liberty Walk

John Short,  a history buff who writes The Charlotte Ledger’s “Historical Heavyweights” series

In this episode, the expert panel unpacks the history, explores the evidence and explains why this centuries-old mystery still matters today. Whether you’re a history buff or just curious about Charlotte’s past, this conversation will fill you in on one of the region’s most fascinating and contested stories.

You can find out more about The Charlotte Ledger at TheCharlotteLedger.com. You can find out more about the May 20 Society at may20thsociety.org .

This episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast was produced by Lindsey Banks.

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