Celebrate the Semiquincentennial at 12 Historic Battlefields and Historic Sites

(Washington, D.C.) — In Philadelphia, Pa., on July 4, 1776, delegates from the 13 American colonies agreed to the final text of the Declaration of Independence, announcing the colonies’ separation from Great Britain and enshrining unalienable rights for citizens. Now, Americans still gather to celebrate this date and the freedoms it represents. Given the milestone anniversary, this year’s Independence Day is even more “star-spangled” than usual! In honor of 250 years of independence, the American Battlefield Trust recommends the following 12 events at historic locations around the nation. Please check the Trust’s events page as well as calendars maintained by the National Park Service and your local sites for more ways to celebrate.

July 1-5: Best 4th in the North at Ticonderoga Bicentennial Park, Ticonderoga, N.Y. 

Explore a town with rich history and connections to the American Revolution throughout the holiday weekend. Enjoy a full carnival along with reenactments at Fort Ticonderoga, and a series of other events for all ages. Read more.

July 1-3: 163rd Anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg, Gettysburg, Pa.  

Celebrate both the Fourth of July and the 163rd anniversary of the historic Battle of Gettysburg with special park programming. Join National Park Service staff for indoor events and talks throughout the three-day event. Read more. 

July 2-4: Independence Day at Mount Rushmore, Keystone, S.D.

Spend time at Mount Rushmore during the holiday weekend and enjoy a variety of celebrations honoring the 250th anniversary of the United States, including presidential reenactors, Indigenous demonstrations and a performance by the U.S. Air Force Academy Band. Read more. 

July 3-5: Commemorating 250 Years of Revolution in Boston, Boston, Mass. 

2025-2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the Siege of Boston (1775-1776). Following the first shots at Lexington and Concord, colonial forces laid siege on Boston for 11 months while the British Army tried to maintain control of the town and the harbor. This siege was the first chapter of the eight-year war for American Independence. Join the National Parks of Boston as they commemorate significant moments of this siege and 250 years of independence. Read more. 

July 4: 250th Independence Day Celebration at Fort Laramie National Historic Site, Fort Laramie, Wyo.

Known as the “Grand Old Post,” Fort Laramie was originally a private fur trading post in 1834 before transforming into the largest military post on the Northern Plains. Celebrate the Fourth with games, vintage baseball, a 38-gun salute and more. Read more. 

July 4: 50/250 Celebration: Visitor Gateway at Valley Forge National Historical Park, King of Prussia, Pa. 

Explore the place George Washington and the Continental Army took refuge during the winter of 1777-1778 and celebrate the 250th birthday of America through a live reading of the Declaration of Independence and living history demonstrations. Read more. 

July 4: Step Into 1776: A July 4th Living History Celebration on the Natchez Trace, Tupelo, Miss.

Spend the day immersed in what was once the edge of the young nation, the Mississippi Territory, as rangers in period clothing share the daily skills and experiences of life on the early American frontier. Activities include hands-on crafts, traditional games, music and a close look at how frontier families lived. Read more. 

July 4: USA 250: Our Portrait Painted with Parks, Sequoia National Park, Calif. 

Learn from park rangers about how the history of National Parks weave together to create an American self-portrait, from national monuments to battlefield parks. Read more. 

July 4: Independence Day at Kings Mountain National Military Park, Blacksburg, S.C.

The Battle of Kings Mountain, fought October 7th, 1780, was a crucial American victory during the Revolutionary War. Events will include public readings of the Declaration of Independence by interpreters in period attire, guided battlefield tours and more. Read more. 

July 4-5: Old Fashioned Independence Day at Pioneer Village, Mitchell, Ind.  

Celebrate Independence Day with the whole family in the pioneer village, with history and crafts at Spring Mill State Park. Read more. 

July 4: American250 Block Party at Fort Campbell, Fort Campbell, Ky.

Enjoy Independence Day at Fort Campbell with a parade, musical performances and fireworks. Read more. 

July 4: Fort Macon Cannon Day, Atlantic Beach, N.C.

Celebrate the 4th of July and learn about different cannons used during the Civil War; how they were loaded, aimed, and shot. There will be cannon-firing demonstrations throughout the day. Read more. 

The American Battlefield Trust is dedicated to preserving America’s hallowed battlegrounds and educating the public about what happened there and why it matters today. The nonprofit, nonpartisan organization has protected more than 62,000 acres associated with the Revolutionary War, War of 1812 and Civil War across 160 sites in 25 states. Learn more at www.battlefields.org.  

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