PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – On July 4, 1776, the Second Continental Congress voted to approve the Declaration of Independence inside the Pennsylvania State House. But it wasn’t until July 8th that the citizens of Philadelphia actually heard the words that marked the beginning of America.

On Friday, hundreds gathered at noon in Independence Square, at the same place and time where Colonel John Nixon first read the Declaration of Independence 235 years ago.

Jane Cowley, spokesperson for Independence National History Park, says in 1776, many people were not happy about the break from Britain:

“For citizens of Philadelphia, for many of them, that was the first time that they heard these words of what some people thought was treason. It was a tremendous experience, one of the most important elements of the revolution.”

Park rangers dressed in traditional clothing from 18th century helped to make the re-enactment more realistic.

Reported by Cherri Gregg, KYW Newsradio