08-03-2025
Gov. Kay Ivey signs ‘Two Lights for Tomorrow Day' proclamation
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WIAT) — Governor Kay Ivey signed a proclamation on Thursday endorsing a national initiative declaring Friday, April 18, as Two Lights for Tomorrow Day.
According to the Alabama USA Semiquincentennial Commission and the American Village in Montevallo, the day aims to signify the ride of Paul Revere in 1775 — specifically, the line 'One if by land, two if by sea' written in Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's poem, 'Paul Revere's Ride.'
'Today, 250 years later, we gather together to plan ways to ensure that not only are those events remembered, but more importantly to ensure that not just the 'what' of 'what happened' is remembered but the 'why,'' The Alabama USA Semiquincentennial Commission stated on their website. 'We are called not to remember history just for history's sake, but to make it relevant, meaningful, and engaging for the public today.'
The Alabama USA Semiquincentennial Foundation and the American Village are encouraging people to participate in Two Lights for Tomorrow Day by displaying two lights in statehouses, offices, schools, churches and homes on April 18.
More information can be found here.
Gov. Ivey's full proclamation reads:
PROCLAMATIONBy the Governor of AlabamaWHEREAS, the state of Alabama recognizes the importance of honoring and commemorating the 250th anniversary of the founding of our nation; andWHEREAS, the events of 1775 that began the revolution the year before independence was declared are significant moments that signaled the creation of a national identity and unity of purpose that transcended national geographic, cultural and societal divides; andWHEREAS, on the evening of April 18, 1775, with impending hostile action from the British Army in Boston, Massachusetts, Paul Revere and William Dawes along with other alarm riders undertook a perilous ride to alert everyone in the countryside of the coming danger; andWHEREAS, preceding their departure from Boston, a prearranged signal was set in the Old North Church steeple to ensure that the message got out and did not solely rely on just one or two alarm riders; andWHEREAS, the two lanterns that were the signal were immortalized in Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's poem Paul Revere's Ride as 'One if by land, and two if by sea' and have become an enduring symbol of American vigilance, perseverance and preparedness in the face of adversity; andWHEREAS, we are reminded, 250 years later, that the call for unity and the call to serve each other is no less relevant today than it was then; andWHEREAS, a national initiative has been proposed by the United States Semiquincentennial Commission that two lights be displayed in public spaces across the country for all to see marking that significant anniversary in April 2025 and the beginning of the 250th anniversary commemorations leading up to the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 2026; andWHEREAS, that state of Alabama supports and encourages community events that promote patriotism, unity and reflection on our shared history;NOW, THEREFORE, I, Kay Ivey, Governor of Alabama, do hereby endorse the nationalinitiative and proclaim Friday, April 18, 2025, as Two Lights for Tomorrow DayIn the state of Alabama and encourage reflection on the idea that all these historic events were endeavoring toward one common goal: the chance to embrace our God-given rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of Under My Hand and the Great Seal of the Office of Governor at the State Capitol in the City of Montgomery on the 6th day of March 2025.
Kay Ivey, Governor
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