Spirit of ’76 Jubilee
Celebrate America 250 at the Capitol Visitor Center
July 2-4, 2026 - 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Free & Open to the Public
Celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence with three days of family-friendly events, interactive experiences, and patriotic fun at the Capitol Visitor Center.
Enjoy:
- Hands-on crafts and storytelling
- Interactive mapping activities
- Historic object encounters
- Curator-led tours of the special Spirit of ’76 exhibit
- Live presentations throughout the day
Special Highlights
- July 2 special guests from the Smithsonian National Postal Museum, United States Mint, Library of Congress Veterans History Project and United States Botanic Garden
- Complimentary birthday cake on July 4 while supplies last
Whether you’re visiting Washington for the holiday or exploring with family and friends, the Spirit of ’76 Jubilee offers a memorable way to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary at the U.S. Capitol. Come celebrate the past, honor the present, and inspire the future.
Daily Schedule of Activities
Thursday, July 2
| Time | Location | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| 9:30 AM - 3:30 PM | Democracy Lab | "Get Into America" with Arba the Eagle Puppet |
| 9:30 AM - 3:30 PM | North & South Hallways | Interactive Activities and Fun Photo Opportunities for All Ages |
| 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM | South Hallway | National Postal Museum - Benjamin Franklin Activity |
| 9:30 AM - 1:30 PM | North Hallway | U.S. Mint - Learn about SemiQ coins! |
| 10 AM | Exhibition Hall | Curator Talk |
| 10:30 AM | Exhibition Hall | Object Spotlight from 1826 - Lafayette's Glove |
| 11 AM | Exhibition Hall | Seen on Screen from 1826 - John Trumbull's painting, "Declaration of Independence" |
| 11:30 AM | Exhibition Hall | Object Spotlight from 1851 - Declaration of Sentiments |
| 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM | North Hallway | Library of Congress Veterans History Project - Discover Their Stories |
| 12 PM | Exhibition Hall | Curator Talk |
| 12:30 PM | Exhibition Hall | Object Spotlight from 1876 - "Admission of Colorado to the Union" |
| 1 PM | Exhibition Hall | Seen on Screen from 1926 - The Capital City |
| 1:30 PM | Exhibition Hall | Object Spotlight from 1926 - America Welcomes the World Poster |
| 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM | North Hallway | U.S. Botanic Garden - America's State Flowers |
| 2 PM | Statue of Freedom | Remembering the Revolution Tour |
| 2 PM | Exhibition Hall | Curator Talk |
| 2:30 PM | Exhibition Hall | Object Spotlight from 1976 - Arba the Eagle Puppet |
| 3 PM | Exhibition Hall | Seen on Screen from 1976 - Bicentennial TV |
Friday, July 3
| Time | Location | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| 9:30 AM - 3:30 PM | Democracy Lab | Bicentennial Road Trip |
| 9:30 AM - 3:30 PM | North & South Hallways | Interactive Activities and Fun Photo Opportunities for All Ages |
| 10 AM | Exhibition Hall | Curator Talk |
| 10:30 AM | Exhibition Hall | Object Spotlight from 1826 - Lafayette's Glove |
| 11 AM | Statue of Freedom | Remembering the Revolution Tour |
| 11 AM | Exhibition Hall | Seen on Screen from 1851 - Frederick Douglass' Descendants |
| 11:30 AM | Exhibition Hall | Object Spotlight from 1851 - Declaration of Sentiments |
| 12 PM | Exhibition Hall | Curator Talk |
| 12:30 PM | Exhibition Hall | Object Spotlight from 1876 - "Admission of Colorado to the Union" |
| 1 PM | Exhibition Hall | Seen on Screen from 1876 - Centennial Expo |
| 1 PM | Statue of Freedom | Remembering the Revolution Tour |
| 1:30 PM | Exhibition Hall | Object Spotlight from 1926 - America Welcomes the World Poster |
| 2 PM | Exhibition Hall | Curator Talk |
| 2:30 PM | Exhibition Hall | Object Spotlight from 1976 - Arba the Eagle Puppet |
| 3 PM | Exhibition Hall | Seen on Screen from 1976 - Bicentennial TV |
Saturday, July 4
| Time | Location | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| 9:30 AM - 3:30 PM | Democracy Lab | "Get Into America" with Arba the Eagle Puppet |
| 9:30 AM - 3:30 PM | North & South Hallways | Interactive Activities and Fun Photo Opportunities for All Ages |
| 10 AM | Exhibition Hall | Curator Talk |
| 10:30 AM | Exhibition Hall | Object Spotlight from 1826 - Lafayette's Glove |
| 10:30 AM | Restaurant | Free Piece of Birthday Cake (while supplies last) |
| 11 AM | Statue of Freedom | Remembering the Revolution Tour |
| 11:30 AM | Exhibition Hall | Object Spotlight from 1851 - Declaration of Sentiments |
| 12 PM | Exhibition Hall | Curator Talk |
| 12:30 PM | Exhibition Hall | Object Spotlight from 1876 - "Admission of Colorado to the Union" |
| 1 PM | Statue of Freedom | Remembering the Revolution Tour |
| 1:30 PM | Exhibition Hall | Object Spotlight from 1926 - America Welcomes the World Poster |
| 2 PM | Exhibition Hall | Curator Talk |
| 2:30 PM | Exhibition Hall | Object Spotlight from 1976 - Arba the Eagle Puppet |