“Spirit of America”

A public reading of the Declaration of Independence

We Did It.!!!!  As CCHA celebrates our 25th anniversary, we have MORE THAN TWENTY-FIVE sites across the Chesapeake Crossroads will gather their friends and supporters on July 8th where they will join with citizens across all 50 states and U.S. territories to read the Declaration of Independence aloud together, synchronized across time zones. The start time is 6 pm (EDT), July 8, 2026. With so many options, head out to a location near you and join in on this commemoration of the moment that the Declaration of Independence was read across the land for the first time on July 8, 1776.

Thank you for joining Chesapeake Crossroads Heritage Area, Annapolis 250 and MD Two-Fifty Commission in this nationwide reading of the Declaration of Independence. With locations across the City and the County, you will join hundreds of citizens together in a moment of reflection and appreciation for our Country’s founding principles. These words were aspirational at the time they were written and we hope you will reflect upon the idea that we all continue in pursuit of these ideals today. We believe this reading will bring together our local community and provide a refreshed commitment to this great American experiment we call the United States. 

Please share your videos and pictures with us and tag us on social media!    #chesapeakecrossroads   #Annapolis250    #Maryland250 

FIND A SITE NEAR YOU ON THIS INTERACTIVE MAP of CCHA READING LOCATIONS!

Are you hosting an event?  Here are a few quick tips and “Reader Copies” of the Declaration that you can print out for your readers.

• • Quick Tips, a Suggested Timeline and Run of Show can be downloaded HERE:
  • Suggested EMCEE Script and Talking Points for organizers can be downloaded HERE:
  • THREE Reader Declaration in 18 Point Font (Print and distribute to your readers in order!)
  • THIRTEEN Reader Declaration in 18 Point Font (print and distribute to your readers in order!)
  • TWENTY-FIVE Reader Declaration in 18 Point Font (print and distribute to your readers in order!) 
  • SPANISH Reader Declaration in 18 Point Font (Print and distribute to your readers in order!)

 

Confirmed Sponsors, Locations and Addresses as of July 4th:

1. 1. Anne Arundell County Historical Society — Benson-Hammond House; 7101 Aviation Blvd, Linthicum Heights, MD 21090
   2. Anne Arundel Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution — Rising Sun Inn, Historic Tavern and Museum; 1090 General’s Hwy, Crownsville, MD 21032
   3. Anne Arundel County Cultural Resources Section — Fort Smallwood Park; 9500 Fort Smallwood Rd, Pasadena, MD 21122
   4. Captain Avery Museum — Captain Avery Museum; 1418 East West Shady Side Rd, Shady Side, MD 20764
   5. Chase Home — Samuel Chase- Lloyd House; 22 Maryland Avenue, Annapolis, MD 21401
   6. Charles Carroll House — Charles Carroll House; 107 Duke of Gloucester St, Annapolis, MD 21401
   7. Chesapeake Chapter of the United States Lighthouse Society — Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse; Chesapeake Bay off Annapolis, MD 21403
   8. Chesapeake Children’s Museum — The Chesapeake Children’s Museum; 25 Silopanna Rd, Annapolis, MD 21403
   9. County Executive’s Office in partnership with Historic London Town and Gardens — Historic Londontown; 839 Londontown Rd, Edgewater, MD 21037
   10. Eastport Yacht Club — Eastport Yacht Club; 317 First St, Annapolis, MD 21403
   11. Friends of Crownsville Cemetery — Crownsville Cemetery; Farm Road Rd, Crownsville, MD 21032
   12. Galesville Heritage Society — Galesville Heritage House; 988 Main St, Galesville, MD 20765
   13. Goshen Farm Preservation Society — Goshen Farm; 1420 Cape St. Claire Rd, Annapolis, MD 21409
   14. Hammond-Harwood House — Hammond-Harwood House; 19 Maryland Ave, Annapolis, MD 21401
   15. Historic Annapolis — On board the Catherine Marie; Out on the Chesapeake Bay
   16. Mayor of Annapolis — Annapolis City Hall; 160 Duke of Gloucester St, Annapolis, MD 21401
   17. Neighbors on Fleet St., Pinkney St., and East St. in Downtown Annapolis — Fleet St. Pocket Park; Fleet St & Pinkney St, Annapolis, MD 21401
   18. Northern Arundel Cultural Preservation Society — Lloyd Keaser Center; 5757 Belle Grove Rd, Brooklyn Park, MD 21225
   19. Peggy Stewart Tea Party Chapter of DAR — Anne Catherine Green Park; 2001 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd, Annapolis, MD 21409
   20. Picante Restaurant — Picante Stoop on West Street; 48 West St, Annapolis, MD 21401
   21. Residents of Murray Hill and the WORA (Ward One Resident Association) — Acton’s Cove Waterfront Park; 14 South St, Annapolis, MD 21401
   22. Smithsonian Environmental Research Center — Woodlawn; 647 Contees Wharf Rd, Edgewater, MD 21037
   23. St Johns College Campus Students — At the Liberty Bell; College Avenue near St Johns Street, Annapolis MD 21401
   24. VAAAC // Part of Small and Boutique Meetings Conference — Gov. Calvert Inn; 58 State Circle, Annapolis, MD 21401
   25. Veterans for Maryland Voters — Lawyers Mall; 25 Calvert St @ Rowe Blvd, Annapolis, MD 21401
   26. Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County — Visitor Center; 26 West St, Annapolis, MD 21401
   27. Watermark — State Circle at the Treasury Building; State Circle, Annapolis, MD 21401
   28. Woodhaven Community (HOA) — Crofton Library; 1681 Riedel Rd, Crofton, MD 21114