Celebrating the first public reading on July 8, 1776

Wednesday, July 8 • 3 p.m. • Church of the Land

July 4, 1776, is the date etched into our national memory as the day the Second Continental Congress approved our Declaration of Independence. Four days later, the document creating a new country was read aloud in public for the first time, by Colonel John Nixon at the State House Yard in Philadelphia.

On July 8, 2026, Americans in all 50 U.S. states and 16 territories will read the Declaration of Independence aloud at state capitols, city halls, county and municipal buildings, schools, libraries, community centers, parks, and museums. Living History Farms is honored to welcome the Daughters of the American Revolution, Sons of the American Revolution, and Children of the American Revolution for this semiquincentennial event. Join us as we peal the church bell and hear the Declaration proudly read, just as the residents of Philadelphia did 250 years ago.

Included with General Admission.

Image: Detail from “Reading the Declaration of Independence by John Nixon, from the steps of Independence Hall, Philadelphia, July 8, 1776,” by Edwin Austin Abbey, 1889