Join us for July 4th at the National Archives!

This year, the National Archives celebrates the 243rd anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence with special events in Washington, DC, and at Presidential Libraries nationwide.

On July 2, 1776, the Second Continental Congress voted to approve a resolution of independence, declaring the United States independent from Great Britain. On July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was approved. On August 2, 1776, delegates began to sign the engrossed Declaration of Independence penned by Timothy Matlack. For a detailed history of the founding document, be sure to read “The Declaration of Independence: A History” on Archives.gov.

As the trustee of our nation’s founding documents—the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights—the National Archives and Records Administration is a natural place to celebrate this national holiday.

[image error] July 4th celebrations on the steps of the National Archives in Washington, DC

Kick off your July 4th celebrations now with the #archivesjuly4 social media campaign. Wherever you are on July 4th, share your celebrations on social media using the hashtag #ArchivesJuly4. See more on National Archives News, which features many ways you can celebrate Independence Day with us in Washington, DC, and at our Presidential Libraries. All of the Presidential Libraries will be open to the public on July 4th.

For those of you in Washington, DC this July 4, stop by Constitution Avenue at 10 a.m. for a Declaration of Independence Reading Ceremony, then head inside for family activities from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. If you can’t come in person to Washington, DC, join our celebration through YouTube, and on the US National Archives Facebook page. 

[image error] Visitors view the Declaration of Independence in the Rotunda of the National Archives Building in Washington, DC

We can often take our founding documents for granted. I encourage all of us to take time during our Independence Day celebrations to read these documents and to pause and remember the difficult choices our nation’s Founders made and the meaning of these documents today.

Engrossed Declaration of Independence
Constitution of the United States
Bill of Rights
Film of the transfer of the Charters of Freedom from the Library of Congress to NARA
Public Resolution directing the distribution of certain copies of the Declaration of Independence
Papers of the Continental Congress

I wish you all a safe and happy Independence Day!