July 4th Recap

Did you celebrate Independence Day with the National Archives in Washington, DC? What was your favorite part? The National Anthem? The Fife and Drum Corps? The reading of the Declaration of Independence? The festivities had so much to offer, and if you missed out, you can still enjoy the fun on the National Archives YouTube Channel,

Commander Everett Alvarez, Jr. (Ret.), the longest held POW in Vietnam—and the soon-to-be recipient of the Congressional Gold Medal—offered stirring remarks, which you can watch HERE.

The National Archives also displayed very rarely-seen historical treasures over the 4th of July weekend, including an original first edition printing of the Declaration of Independence and the June 1776 Lee Resolution, which called for the American Colonies’ independence from Great Britain. 

Check out some of the July 4th media coverage: NewsNation – Founding documents on display for Fourth of July 

• WENY News – National Archives Displays Rare Declaration of Independence Documents

Every July 4, the National Archives marks the anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence with its traditional Independence Day program!

Baltimore Seniors Help Transcribe NARA’s Cursive Holdings

Seniors from the Springwell Senior Living Community in Baltimore, MD, have been using their skills to transcribe historical documents that were written in cursive, as reported by WBAL-TV 11.   

They’re part of NARA’s Citizen Archivist program and are helping to make records more accessible online. You can join in the effort, too! Every contribution helps unlock America’s history.

Seniors from the Springwell Senior Living Community in Baltimore, MD, were recently highlighted on WBAL-TV 11 for their work transcribing historical documents as part of NARA’s Citizen Archivist program. (Screenshot from WBAL-TV 11 broadcast) 

The Olive Branch Petition

One year before declaring independence, the Continental Congress made a final appeal for a “happy and permanent reconciliation” by delivering a petition to King George III. The King refused to formally receive or respond to what became known as the Olive Branch Petition and instead declared that the American colonies were waging a war of rebellion. 

The National Archives invites you to view The Olive Branch Petition, the latest rotation in its Road to Revolution Series now on display at the National Archives in Washington, DC, and learn more about the political actions that would directly lead to America’s Revolutionary War.

Olive Branch Petition, page 1, July 8, 1775 (Courtesy of the National Archives, UK)