On July 4, 1776, the Second Continental Congress approved the Declaration of Independence inside the Pennsylvania State House (now Independence Hall) in Philadelphia.
Four days later, on July 8, 1776, after the Declaration was printed and distributed, the citizens of Philadelphia were summoned to the State House Yard by the bells of the city. Then, Colonel John Nixon publicly read the Declaration of Independence.
While much of the Declaration deals with grievances against King George III (although his name does not appear in it), the American spirit, principles, and values memorialized in the Declaration of Independence 250-years ago continue to hold true today. The “self evident” “truths”, then, “that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness” are valid today, as are the personal and collective responsibilities we share in protecting and perpetuating these values.
Reading the Declaration of Independence Across America, ‘Together’
Just as the Declaration of Independence was read to the people on July 8, 1776, now, 250-years later, Americans in all 50 States and 16 Territories of the United States will read the Declaration of Independence ‘together’. These readings will occur at State Capitols, City Halls, County and Municipal Buildings, Schools, Libraries, Community Centers, Parks, etc (including individual families sharing the words and vision of the Declaration of Independence in their own homes).
With a start time based on 6 pm (EDT), July 8, 2026 (commemorating the first public reading), people in communities across America will begin reading the Declaration of Independence.
Unlike the extent of the Colonies in 1776, today, America spans about 9,500-miles from one extreme to the other (the Caribbean across North America to the western edge of the Pacific).
Even though the United States is spread across thousands of miles and ten different time zones, all of us in America may read the Declaration of Independence ‘together’, at the ‘same’ time.
For Information: Peter T. Young, Chair
Hawai‘i America250 Commission
Contact@HawaiiAmerica250.org