The Historical Society of Kent County will present a public reading of the Declaration of Independence on July 8, 2026. The community is invited to gather in Fountain Park, where 13 local residents from diverse backgrounds and walks of life will each read a portion of the Declaration, symbolically representing the original 13 colonies. The program will begin at 5:45 p.m. A reception at the Bordley History Center will follow.
The reading is part of Sharing the Spirit of America, a nationwide initiative in which communities across the country will hold similar events on the same day at the same time in celebration of the nation’s founding document. The date is the 250th anniversary of July 8, 1776, when Colonel John Nixon delivered the first public reading of the Declaration in the State House Yard in Philadelphia. For many, it was the first time they heard the revolutionary promises of equality, unalienable rights, and self-governance that would become the essential tenets of a new nation. In an era before mass communications, public readings were an essential means of communicating these transformative ideas. In 2026, it is a way to affirm them.
Since its adoption by the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence has inspired generations of Americans through both successes and struggles. Its enduring promise that we are all created equal, all with rights including those of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, has remained a guiding ideal over 250 years as the country has continued to strive to fulfill those principles and build a more perfect union.
The Historical Society offers a welcoming community and invites everyone to consider getting involved as a member. Membership benefits include unlimited use of the Genealogy and Research Library (by appointment), a discount on books in the museum gift shop, and invitations to members-only events, among others. A donation of $25 is recommended for individual memberships, and $40 for families. Student memberships are always free. Visit www.kentcountyhistory.org for more information, or email admin@kentcountyhistory.org.
