Community celebrates William Floyd Day

Elected officials joined with community leaders, students and historians on Dec. 17 at William Floyd High School to commemorate the birthday of founding father William Floyd and recognize the day in his honor.

The event was held in collaboration with the Tri-Hamlet 250 Committee as part of ongoing efforts to honor Suffolk County’s Revolutionary War history and to elevate the legacy of its only signer of the Declaration of Independence.

“As someone who was born and raised right here, a proud graduate of William Floyd High School, and someone who still calls this community home, it is deeply meaningful to honor William Floyd,” Legis. Jim Mazzarella said. “His story reminds us that the ideals that shaped our extraordinary nation were forged by ordinary people from communities just like ours.”

Floyd was born on Dec. 17, 1734, in Mastic, in what is now the Town of Brookhaven. A lifelong Suffolk County resident, Floyd rose from managing his family’s farm to serving as a militia leader, a delegate to the Continental Congress, and ultimately as Suffolk County’s only signer of the Declaration of Independence. His home, the Old Mastic House, remains standing today and is preserved as part of the Fire Island National Seashore.

The event also highlighted Resolution 776-2025, sponsored by Mazzarella, which officially designates Dec. 17 as “William Floyd Day” in Suffolk County each year.

“Suffolk County is proud to celebrate the life and legacy of William Floyd, Long Island’s sole signer of the Declaration of Independence,” said Suffolk County executive Ed Romaine. “The commemoration of William Floyd Day signifies our commitment to Suffolk 250, which will continue to educate our residents about our region’s illustrious history while highlighting the various landmarks and amenities here in Suffolk County.”

“Today we recognized the lifetime and achievements of William Floyd, whose bravery and willingness to risk his life and property helped nurture the very beginnings of our great country,” stated Brookhaven Town supervisor Dan Panico. “I commend Legis. Mazzarella on commemorating this day in our history and all those involved in our upcoming America 250 celebrations.”

In reflecting on the day, Mazzarella said that William Floyd Day is not only about honoring the past, but about strengthening local pride and civic education.

“This day is a celebration of who we are as a community,” Mazzarella said. “It’s about teaching our children that history isn’t something that only happened somewhere else. It happened here—on these roads, in these homes, and through people who lived where we live today.”