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CHARLOTTE – People packed Trade and Tryon streets Wednesday to celebrate MecDec Day, the day Mecklenburg County declared its independence from England more than 200 years ago.

The county's decision to sign the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence came on May 20, 1775, more than a year before the rest of the colonies. It is believed to be the first such document to declare independence from England. No original copy of the document exists.

"This county was the first county of all the counties in the 13 colonies to stand up and say we want to be self governing and exercise liberty and experience liberty and freedom," Frank Whitney, of the May 20th Society, said.

Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory said the history of the county makes the celebration special.

"They decided to have a revolution and this is where they declared their independence first," McCrory said.

Wednesday's celebration brought history to life with a re-enactment of the events 234 years ago. And while everyone agreed it was fun to watch, they also said it was important to pass down this piece of history from one generation to the next.

"Having a good understanding of what we've been through in the past will help our children to understand how important it is to keep our freedom," resident Michelle Trovato said.

"Studying and knowing our history is the way we understand ourselves, our country and our fellow citizens," re-enactor James Williams said.