On July 8, 1776, just four days after the Declaration of Independence was adopted, Colonel John Nixon stepped into the yard of the Pennsylvania State House in Philadelphia and read it aloud to the public for the very first time. That moment changed everything. The Declaration was never meant to remain silent on a page; it was meant to be spoken in the open, heard by ordinary people, and carried into public life.

On Wednesday July 8, 2026, Michigan will help bring that spirit to life again through Sharing the Spirit of America, a coordinated public reading of the Declaration of Independence taking place across the state at 6:00 PM EDT. Mason County District Library will hold a reading in Legacy Plaza at the corner of Ludington Ave. and N. James St. Join us in this powerful shared civic moment by reading a section of the declaration, or simply listening in support. 

This event is part of a series of events the library will host this summer centered around America’s 250th. Visit our website at MCDLibrary.org for details. All library events are free. Direct any questions to Robin at rseymour@mcdlibrary.org.

Location: Legacy Plaza
112 N. James St., Ludington