National Archives Fourth of July Celebration at Union Station
Press Release · Wednesday, January 23, 2002

Washington, DC

WHAT: The National Archives will celebrate the 226th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence with its traditional Fourth of July celebration. The theme of this year's annual program, which will be held at Union Station, is "Declaring Our Freedom-Preserving Our Freedom."

The National Archives Exhibit Hall on Constitution Avenue is undergoing a major renovation and will re-open in 2003. (The building is open for research during the renovation.) The program includes patriotic music, a dramatic reading of the Declaration of Independence, and free family activities.

WHEN: Thursday, July 4, 2002
Ceremony: 2:00 P.M. to 3:30 P.M.
Activities: 10 A.M. to 5 P.M.

WHERE: Union Station, 50 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C.
Space will be reserved for the electronic media.

This popular family event is free and open to the public. Highlights of the program are:

• Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, and other historical figures portrayed by "Time Travelers" from the nationally-acclaimed acting troupe of the American Historical Theatre, will mingle with the crowd and describe their roles in American History.
• Dramatic reading of the Declaration of Independence.
• Special display of the famous plate engraving of the Declaration of Independence made by printer William J. Stone in 1823 - the most frequently reproduced version of the document.
• National Archives conservators will host informal workshops on preservation of important family records and photographs.

For additional PRESS information, please contact the National Archives Public Affairs staff at (301) 837-1700 or by e-mail. Visit the National Archives Home Page on the World Wide Web at http://www.archives.gov/.

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