While independence was officially adopted on July 4, 1776, the news first reached the public on July 8. On that day, Colonel John Nixon delivered the first public reading of the Declaration in the State House Yard (now Independence Square) in Philadelphia. As part of the nationwide America250 initiative, OLLI will join in a synchronized public reading on July 8, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. Join us as we take part in this historic moment and celebrate the words that helped shape our nation.