Monadnock Ledger-Transcript Published: 6/30/2021 3:28:50 PM While the Fourth of July has become synonymous with fireworks and cookouts, several local towns maintain an annual tradition that harkens back to the holiday’s origins, with a reading of the Declaration of Independence. This year, those traditions return with in-person readings, after some were put on hold last year due to COVID-19. Each July 4, at the Jaffrey Meetinghouse, citizens sign up to read from the Declaration. The tradition was begun 21 years ago by citizen Rob Stephenson, and each year, a line of people signs up for the opportunity to read a line. Last year, a recorded version of the reading was produced, due to COVID-19 restrictions. This year, it’s back on at its usual location.