The Foundational Documents of American Democracy – A Public Reading

Celebrate Independence Day with Vienna’s fourth annual public, round-robin reading of the foundational documents of American democracy. This year’s event will be especially meaningful as we partner with the Vienna250 Committee and Liberty Amendments Month to celebrate the country’s 250th anniversary!

All are welcome to join in as participants go around the room, taking turns reading several lines of each document at a time. This is a round-robin style reading, which means a mic will be passed between seated audience members to each read a few sentences from the Foundational documents. The event will be guided by one or two moderators. Bound booklets of the readings will be distributed to all attendees and then returned at the end of the event for re-use next year. *Attendees are also welcome to come to the event to listen and opt out of reading a passage over the mic.

Documents read will include Fairfax Resolves, Virginia Declaration of Rights, the Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights, Emancipation Proclamation, and, of course, the Liberty Amendments (13th, 14th, 15th and 19th amendments to the United States Constitution). The program will conclude with a recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance. Presented by the Vienna 250 Committee, Historic Vienna, Inc., AAUW Vienna Area Branch, Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Emmaus United Church of Christ, First Baptist Church of Vienna, Church of the Holy Comforter, the American Legion Post 180, and other local organizations to be announce here soon.

Questions? Visit our event website, email [email protected] or call 703-255-6360.