The city will participate in Two Lights for Tomorrow — an initiative that is part of the America 250 celebration — by leaving two lights on in the front of city hall Friday evening.

Two Lights for Tomorrow is a nationwide event commemorating the ride of Paul Revere on the night of April 18, 1775.

A proclamation by Governor Josh Stein encourages all residents, businesses and governments to participate.

Mayor Emery Doughtie read Stein’s proclamation, tailored for the city, during council’s meeting Tuesday.

“We’re still grateful so many gave their lives,” the mayor said after reading the proclamation. “We owe them a tremendous debt of gratitude to be where we are today.”

The event is led by the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources’ America 250 NC initiative. 

On the night of April 18, 1775, Revere and William Dawes rode out from Boston to alert their fellow patriots of the movement of the British regulars. 

A prearranged signal — two lanterns in the tower of Christ Church— warned that the British troops were traveling via the Charles River. 

Other riders joined Revere and Dawes, creating a network across the Massachusetts countryside. These midnight rides preceded the battles at Lexington and Concord, the start of the American Revolution.

“To commemorate this event, two lights will shine in the front window of the J. Reuben Daniel City Hall and Police Station throughout the night of April 18th alongside statehouses across the nation, including North Carolina’s State Capitol in Raleigh,” the city said. “By placing two lights in the darkness, we commemorate not only a pivotal moment in history but also our shared commitment to working together for the common good.”

The city and America 250 NC encourages every town hall, county courthouse, school, community center, historic site, and household to display two lights on Friday evening “as a visible symbol of our unity, remembrance, and hope for tomorrow.”