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CANCELLED: Reading of the Declaration of Independence In-Person

The annual reading of the Declaration of Independence has been cancelled. The rest of the 4th of July kickoff is still scheduled for 6pm June 14th.

If it weren’t for the Declaration of Independence, there would be no Fourth of July holiday. Rev. Henry Wight initiated the reading of that document in 1785 in front of the then-Bristol Town Hall.

In collaboration with the Bristol Fourth of July Committee, Rogers Free Library has brought this tradition back. We will be reading the Declaration of Independence together at the Town Common. The reading will be led by Rev. Nancy Soukup from Bristol Congregational Church and Historian Rei Battcher, who is the Historian for both the Rogers Free Library and the Bristol Historic and Preservation Society. Battcher is a Life Member of the Sons of the American Revolution (S.A.R.).

Stay after the reading to witness the kickoff to the annual Fourth of July Celebrations!

Date:: Saturday, June 14, 2025
Time:: 5:15 PM - 6:00 PM
Time Zone:: Eastern Time - US & Canada (change)
Location:: Offsite - Bristol Town Common
Audience:: Adults All Ages Babies and Toddlers Older Adults School-Age Children Teens
Categories:: Special Events