BOSTON — With its place in rock ‘n’ roll history now secure, the city of Somerville issued a proclamation Wednesday to mark its role as a “seminal source” of support and inspiration for Irish super-group U2. “Somerville rocks, and so also does U2,” said Mayor Joseph Curtatone, reading a copy of the proclamation to lead singer Bono at the Somerville Theatre. Curtatone declared March 11 “U2 ‘No Line On The Horizon’ Celebration Day’” in the city.

Davis Square’s Somerville Theatre was host to an intimate concert Wednesday night promoting the band’s new album. “I was extremely proud of our city’s people and of the Davis Square business community for helping to make this a memorable and joyful event,” said Curtatone in a statement. “A lot of people contributed to making this a successful event, which wasn’t easy with such short notice.” Curtatone said that the concert’s promoters will foot the bill for public safety costs, including dozens of police officers, traffic wardens, and public works employees. Thousands of fans congregated outside the theater, despite the fact that tickets were only offered through radio promotions and private invitations. “Somerville is a great venue for events like this, and Davis Square is continuing to enhancing(sic) its reputation as an arts destination,” said Curtatone. The city’s official proclamation read: Whereas, The Band known as U2 has embraced the Boston region as one of its seminal sources of inspiration and support and, whereas, U2 has selected the Somerville Theatre in Davis Square as a venue to celebrate the release of its new album, “No Line on the Horizon” and whereas the People and City of Somerville endorse and embrace the music of U2, and its message of compassion, diversity, and global understanding and whereas, Somerville Rocks! , and so also does U2: Now, therefore, be it known that the City of Somerville does hereby proclaim Wednesday, March 11th, 2008 as U2 ‘No Line on the Horizon’ Celebration Day and calls upon all it citizens to participate in its observance.