Declared Aloud: A 250th Celebration of the First Public Reading of the Declaration in Boston

Mark the 250th anniversary of the first public reading of our nation’s Declaration of Independence in Massachusetts. Revolutionary Spaces invites members of the public to join in a special program in the Council Chamber of the Old State House on Saturday, July 18, 2026.

On July 18, 1776, the public gathered outside the Old State House (then known as the “Town House”) to hear the Declaration of Independence read publicly for the very first time in Massachusetts. A copy of the Declaration had arrived days earlier from Philadelphia, and was printed in the local American Gazette newspaper on July 16th. Notably, the Declaration was intended as a document to be read aloud, and the first public reading on July 18, 1776, was viewed as an important occasion to both share the news of the Declaration and to inspire and unite the public in support of same, all at a critical time in the American Revolution. On the date in question, the Declaration was read first inside the Council Chamber of the Town House to assembled elected officials and dignitaries, and promptly thereafter read aloud from the Town House balcony to the assembled townspeople.

This program will feature a gallery talk on the history of the first Declaration reading, displays of primary source documents, and images related to the first reading of the Declaration. We’ll also be joined by reenactors portraying Abigail Adams, John Rowe, Daniel Greenleaf, and a British military officer who will provide historical interpretation of the events of July 18, 1776. The main portion of the program will include a shared reading of the Declaration of Independence by various young people from across Massachusetts.

The program will begin at 12:30 PM on Saturday, July 18, 2026, with the reading of the Declaration of Independence to begin at 1:00 PM. The program will conclude at 2:00 PM. Free with ticketed museum admission, registration in advance is encouraged but not required.