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Sharing the Spirit of America: A Nationwide Reading of The Declaration of Independence
Event Details
Make history with The Westport Library as we take part in the nationwide reading of the Declaration of Independence on Wednesday, July 8, in celebration of the founding document's 250th anniversary. Hear the words that changed the world — not as a relic, but as a living declaration that still resonates across generations. Standing alongside Americans in all 50 states and 16 territories, you'll feel the remarkable weight and warmth of a nation reading in one voice in a rare moment of shared purpose that reminds us why civic community matters.
In addition to the reading, there will be a craft for kids, and people of all ages may view a copy of the Declaration of Independence gifted to all 169 Connecticut towns, provided by the Connecticut Society of the Sons of the American Revolution and printed to celebrate America 250. This event is a drop-in occasion, no registration required.
Why You Should Come
July 8, 1776 marks the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence in the United States by Colonel John Nixon at the Pennsylvania State House (now Independence Hall). Four Connecticut residents signed the document: Roger Sherman, William Williams, Oliver Wolcott, and Samuel Huntington.
That moment transformed a signed document into a spoken commitment, and it is that act of public declaration that America honors 250 years later.
Led by America 250 Hawaii, this initiative invites Americans across all 50 states and 16 territories to read the Declaration together on July 8, 2026 — simultaneously, across nine time zones and some 9,500 miles, from the Caribbean to the western edge of the Pacific. The simultaneity of this motion signals a nation that, despite being so vast and varied, still finds itself on the same page.
About America 250
Community Partners: Westport250, Connecticut Sons of the American Revolution, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, Drum Hill Chapter, Westport Museum for History & Culture
American Revolutionary War
Declaration of Independence
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The Westport Library is committed to intellectual freedom, inclusivity, and lifelong learning. Our mission is to provide welcoming spaces for the free exchange of ideas. The Library does not endorse or condemn points of view, including any program content or the views expressed by presenters or participants.
