July 4 Events
Plan to spend the Fourth of July at one of North Carolina's Historic Sites! A variety of programs are being held throughout the state for the holiday.
Frederick Douglass Community Reading 2024
Commemorate Independence Day with a community reading of Frederick Douglass' powerful Fourth of July address, "What to the Slave is the Fourth of July." This is a participatory event! Copies of the speech will be provided to all attendees (English or Spanish available), and volunteers will read it out loud together at Horton Grove. Douglass' words still resonate today, inviting us to reflect on the history of slavery and the promises of freedom. Douglass delivered this powerful abolitionist speech on July 5, 1852, at an Independence Day celebration: "There is not a man beneath the canopy of heaven, that does not know that slavery is wrong for him."
This free event will last about 1 hour, with the option to tour the original slave dwellings at Horton Grove available afterwards.
Salute to Independence and Naturalization Ceremony
The Capitol may be closed for construction, but the annual Independence Day event and naturalization ceremony is on! Join us on the south side of the grounds on July 4th. The Raleigh Concert Band begins playing patriotic music at 11:30, followed by a naturalization ceremony for new citizens at noon. The ceremony includes a reading from the Declaration of Independence and a wreath laying at the George Washington monument by the Sons of the American Revolution. Free.
Reading on the Green
The Edenton Tea Party Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution provides a wreath laying, national anthem, a biography of Joseph Hewes and a reading of the Declaration of Independence.
Independence Day Celebration
Musket firing, living-history demonstrations, and a special reading of the Declaration of Independence will combine to make this a Fourth of July to remember in the historic town of Halifax! Continue the fun with the Town of Halifax’s celebration that afternoon and enjoy the annual fireworks display, at dark on the courthouse lawn. 1:00pm – 4:00pm. Free.