Reading of the Declaration of Independence
Pastor Greg Morrow reads the Declaration of Independence in front of the Grand Union flag on Monday, July 8, 2026, at Cole County Courthouse in Jefferson City, Missouri. Morrow is the Executive Director of the Future Leadership Foundation.
Jim Baker, a member of the Christopher Casey chapter of the American Revolution, stands before the reading of the Declaration of Independence on Monday, July 8, 2026, at Cole County Courthouse in Jefferson City, Missouri. Baker is also a member of the Cole County 250 anniversary committee.
Debbie Baker portrays the bellringer, who gathered the crowd, before the reading of the Declaration of Independence on Monday, July 8, 2026, at Cole County Courthouse in Jefferson City, Missouri. Baker is an auxiliary member of the Chris Casey Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution.
Pastor Greg Morrow reads the Declaration of Independence to the crowd on Monday, July 8, 2026, at Cole County Courthouse in Jefferson City, Missouri. Morrow is the pastor of the Corticelli Baptist Church.
Sophia Adams, 8, of Russellville, Missouri, gets ice cream with her grandparents, Cindy Lambert, center, and Steve Lambert, right, before the reading of the Declaration of Independence on Monday, July 8, 2026, at Cole County Courthouse in Jefferson City, Missouri. Sophia loves history and really wanted to attend the reading.
Crowds gather to listen to the reading of the Declaration of Independence on Monday, July 8, 2026, at Cole County Courthouse in Jefferson City, Missouri. The Cole County Courthouse is one of 796 sites around the United States that simultaneously read the declaration.