Spirit of ’76 Jubilee
America 250 at the Capitol Visitor Center
July 2-4, 2026 - 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
We celebrated 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.
Event Highlights
- Hands-on crafts and storytelling
- Interactive mapping activities
- Historic object encounters
- Curator-led tours of the Spirit of '76 exhibit
- Live presentations throughout the day
- Fun photo opportunities
- 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 hand-delivered by Architect of the Capitol Thomas E. Austin
Whether you visited Washington for the holiday or were just exploring with family and friends, the Spirit of ’76 Jubilee offered a memorable way to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary at the U.S. Capitol. Thank you for joining us to 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 |