First Public Reading of the Declaration — 250th Reenactment (Independence Square)

Exactly 250 years to the day. On July 8, 1776, the citizens of Philadelphia were summoned to the State House Yard by the city’s bells, and at noon Colonel John Nixon gave the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence. On Wednesday, July 8, 2026, National Park Service rangers in period costume reenact that moment on Independence Square, behind Independence Hall — a ranger portrays Colonel Nixon and reads the Declaration aloud.

There are two readings this anniversary day: an introduction at 11:00 AM with the reading at noon, and a second introduction at 5:45 PM with the reading at 6:00 PM. The 6 PM reading is Philadelphia’s tie-in to America250’s nationwide “read the Declaration together” — a simultaneous reading across all 50 states and the U.S. territories. Costumed rangers mingle with the crowd, hand out complimentary copies of the Declaration, and stay for photos afterward. An American Sign Language interpreter is present. Watch from the Square or from beyond the security fence. Free; no ticket needed.