Sharing The Spirit Of America

On July 4, 1776, the Second Continental Congress approved the Declaration of Independence.  Four days later, on July 8, 1776, after the Declaration was printed and distributed, the citizens of Philadelphia were summoned to the State House Yard by the bells of the city.  Then, Colonel John Nixon publicly read the Declaration of Independence. 

The premise of ‘Sharing the Spirit of America’ is simple; it is the simultaneous reading of the Declaration of Independence across the country, where Americas are reading the document together at the same time. Just as the Declaration of Independence was read to the people for the first time on July 8, 1776, now, 250 years later, Americans in all 50 States, 5 Territories, District of Columbia, and US Minor Outlying Islands will read the Declaration of Independence together. The American spirit, principles, and values memorialized in the Declaration of Independence 250 years ago continue to hold true today. The self-evident truths, “that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness” are valid today, as are the personal and collective responsibilities we share in protecting and perpetuating these values. 

Reading the Declaration of Independence Across America, “Together” 

With a start time in Nevada of 3 pm (PDT), Wednesday, July 8, 2026, Americans in communities across the nation and all its possessions will begin reading the Declaration of Independence.  The intent is to have Americans, reading the Declaration Independence ‘together’. This will be a great unifying event for all Americans, wherever we are. And it certainly inspires and links us to the 250th Anniversary of that historical event.  Please join other Americans across the country in a unified, positive, and significant moment. 

The National Society Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) was founded in 1889 and is headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky. The Battle Born Patriots Chapter was founded in 1910.  The SAR is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to promoting patriotism, preserving American history, and promoting education to our future generations. All our members are direct descendants of Revolutionary War veterans. SAR members volunteer untold hours of service each year in their local communities. SAR is very active in assisting veterans. We proudly assist teachers with living history interpreters, lesson planning materials and reenactment events for school aged youth to attend. 

This is an official America250 Nevada event and a partner in the statewide Semiquincentennial celebration. As a partner, this event or program is designed to educate, engage, and celebrate the state’s contributions to the American story. About America250 Nevada: America250 Nevada is the state of Nevada’s official effort aligning with the America250 initiative to commemorate the nation’s 250th Anniversary in 2026. America250 Nevada will work to celebrate the anniversary of the nation’s founding by recognizing the diverse contributions of Nevadans while promoting civic education and engagement. To learn more, visit www.america250nv.org. About America250: America250 is a nonpartisan initiative working to engage every American in commemorating the 250th anniversary of our country. This multi-year effort, from now through July 4, 2026, is an opportunity to pause and reflect on our nation’s past, honor the contributions of all Americans, and look ahead toward the future we want to create for the next generation and beyond. To learn more, visit www.america250.org.