An Interactive Public Reading of the Declaration of Independence

Experience the words that helped shape a nation.

Join us for a casual, interactive public reading of the Declaration of Independence on Tuesday, July 8. Rather than listening to a single speaker, participants will have the opportunity to read a portion of the Declaration aloud. We’ll distribute sections of the document to anyone who would like to participate, or you’re welcome to simply listen and enjoy the experience.

This event is part of a coordinated series of public readings taking place across Illinois and the nation to commemorate one of the earliest public readings of the Declaration of Independence, held on July 8, 1776, just four days after Congress adopted the document. Those early public readings helped share the news of American independence with citizens throughout the colonies, transforming the Declaration from words on parchment into a call embraced by communities.

Gather with us inside the I&M Canal Visitor Center as we read this cherished document together. The reading is FREE and open to all ages.

You can RSVP by contacting Ana Koval at president@iandmcanal.org. If you’d like to participate by reading aloud, you may also request (or claim!) your assigned section of the Declaration in advance, so you have time to become familiar with it.

Before or after the reading, you can also explore our new exhibit sharing the history of the I&M Canal National Heritage Area.