The National Archives Celebrates the Fourth of July with Patriotic Program
Press Release · Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Washington, DC

Archives Float will Launch National Independence Day Parade in front of the National Archives Building

WHAT:  Washington, DC…The National Archives will celebrate the 235th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence with its traditional Fourth of July program, this year featuring as emcee, veteran news broadcaster John Palmer; keynote address by the Honorable Royce C. Lamberth, Chief Judge, U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. Washington Capitals player Jeff Schultz and Washington Nationals Vice President, Government and Municipal Affairs Gregory McCarthy will read parts of the Declaration of Independence.

The celebration will include patriotic music, a dramatic reading of the Declaration by historical reenactors, and exciting free family activities and entertainment for all ages.

Following its morning celebration, the National Archives float will launch the National Independence Day Parade in front of the National Archives Building at 11:45 am.

WHEN:  Monday, July 4, 2011, Ceremony: 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Family activities: 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Exhibits (including the original Declaration of Independence): 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.

WHERE: Constitution Avenue steps, National Archives Building
Between 7th and 9th Streets, NW, Washington, D.C.
Space will be reserved for the electronic media

The National Archives Building is fully accessible. Please note: there will be a sign language interpreter for the ceremony.

July Fourth at the National Archives is made possible in part by the generous support of John Hancock Financial.

Program Information

This popular family event is free and open to the public. Seating on the Constitution Avenue steps is available on a first-come, first-seated basis.

Discovering the National Archives
8:30–9:30 a.m.

• Sign a facsimile of the Declaration of Independence on 7th Street and Constitution Avenue.

Ceremony
10 a.m.–11 a.m.

• Ceremony emcee, veteran news broadcaster John Palmer.
• Presentation of Colors by the Continental Color Guard.
• Performance by the U.S. Army 3rd Infantry “The Old Guard” Fife and Drum Corps.
• Remarks by Archivist of the United States David S. Ferriero.
• Keynote address by the Honorable Royce C. Lamberth, Chief Judge, U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.
• The singing of the National Anthem and America the Beautiful by soprano Michelle B. Johnson.
• Dramatic Reading of the Declaration of Independence by special guests Washington Capitals player Jeff Schultz and Washington Nationals Vice President, Government and Municipal Affairs Gregory McCarthy;
• and historical reenactors Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and Ned Hector

Family Activities
11 a.m.–2 p.m.
Inside the National Archives Experience

• Meet Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Abigail Adams, and other historical figures
• Air your grievances in Revolutionary manner with a quill pen
• Sign a full-size facsimile of the Declaration of Independence
• Listen to stories of our Patriotic Past in the Boeing Learning Center. 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 1:30 p.m.

For information on all National Archives public programs, visit www.archives.gov, or call (202) 357-5000.

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For Press information, contact the National Archives Public Affairs staff at (202) 357-5300.

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