On July 4, 2026, our country will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. Happy birthday, United States!

Commemorative events are being held nationwide. The national initiative, America250, is a non-partisan effort commissioned by the U.S. Congress to mark this historic milestone. The Lone Star State’s own project, Texas America250, encourages celebration at state level and highlights the role of Texas in the nation's development.

There are many ways to get involved and celebrate! Check out America250 and Texas America250 websites to find activities like: 

• exhibits & memorials 
• workshops & presentations 
• children's activities 
• volunteer opportunities 
• block parties, parades & firework shows 
• contests & walking tours 

At the library, we offer access to various resources related to the nation's founding: 

E-Books

• A Brief American Legal History in a Nutshell
• A Companion to the United States Constitution and its Amendments
• The Constitution of the United States and the Declaration of Independence
• Principles of Constitutional Structure
• Sanderson's Biography of the Signers to the Declaration of Independence

See the Constitutional Law and the Legal History pages of our Recommended Books & E-Books guide for additional recommendations. 

Texas residents can register for a free library account  to access our e-books. To borrow print books, visit the library in Austin. 

Guides

• Federal Constitution 
• Texas Constitution 

We wish you a happy 4th of July!