July 4th at the National Archives

8–9:30 a.m.

Special July 4 FREE T-shirt Giveaway
First 1,000 guests to join us for the Reading Ceremony will receive a special July 4th Celebration T-shirt.

9–9:45 a.m.

Musical performance by Brass Connection on the Constitution Avenue steps

10–11 a.m.

Declaration of Independence Reading Ceremony
Constitution Avenue steps and YouTube

• Greetings from Allison Seymour, Fox 5 News Anchor
• Presentation of colors by the 3rd U.S. Infantry Continental Color Guard
• Singing of the National Anthem 
• Performance by the 3rd U.S. Infantry "The Old Guard" Fife and Drum Corps
• Remarks by David S. Ferriero, Archivist of the United States
• Dramatic reading of the Declaration of Independence by special guests including Abigail Adams, John Adams, John Dunlap, Benjamin Franklin, John Hancock, Ned Hector, Thomas Jefferson, and George Washington 
• Singing of "America the Beautiful"

11 a.m.–11:45 a.m.

Musical performance by Brass Connection on the Constitution Avenue steps

11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Inside the National Archives Building (Boeing Learning Center)

Celebrate like it it's 1776! Enjoy  family activities, story time, crafts and more! Meet John and Abigail Adams, Benjamin Franklin, John Hancock, Ned Hector, Thomas Jefferson, and George Washington.

• Collect autographs
• "Declaring Independence" scavenger hunt
• Listen to stories of our patriotic past (noon, 12:30 p.m., 1 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 3 p.m., 3:30 p.m.)
• Make colonial-style wigs and dress in period clothing
• Sign the Declaration of Independence
• Write with a quill pen
• Set your name in type

11:45 a.m.

Watch the National Independence Day Parade go by outside the National Archives.