On July 4, 1776, Thomas Stone, who lived in Frederick from 1765 until 1771 and practiced law, agreed to sign The Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia for Maryland. On July 4, 1823, the iron and brick fence around Courthouse Square in Frederick was completed. Its purpose was to keep out grazing animals. It was removed in 1890. On July 4, 1827, the first monument in the United States to George Washington was constructed in a single day by Boonsboro residents on South Mountain. Legend holds that it was completed by Madeline Dalgren, owner of what we know today as the South Mountain Inn. On July 4, 1828, construction began on the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal. It reached Frederick County in 1835. On July 4, 1828, Charles Carroll of Carrollton laid the cornerstone for the railroad in Berlin (now Brunswick). On July 4, 1927, the replica Barbara Fritchie House on West Patrick Street in Frederick was dedicated. The original house had been severely damaged in a flood in 1868 and torn down. On July 4, 1936, Stoll Kemp opened the first antique shop in New Market. The small town stills calls itself The Antiques Capital of Maryland. On July 4, 1961, President John F. Kennedy and his family spent the holiday at Camp David. If anyone can add information to these History Moments, or would like to suggest an item for another calendar day, please contact me privately. John W. Ashbury (wasps65@earthlink.net)