Illinois Historic Preservation Agency
06/30/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 07/01/2026 10:05
Cahokia Courthouse State Historic Site to celebrate Declaration of Independence on July 8
SPRINGFIELD - The Cahokia Courthouse State Historic Site in St. Clair County will host "The Language of Liberty," a public reading of the Declaration of Independence at 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 8.
Community members will read portions of the Declaration aloud, while local historians provide insight into the document's origins, meaning and lasting influence on American history. The program commemorates the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia on July 8, 1776. The reading presented the ideals of liberty and self-government directly to the people of the newly formed nation.
Visitors will have the opportunity to tour Cahokia Courthouse State Historic Site, one of the oldest public buildings in Illinois and an important landmark of early American government in the Northwest Territory.
The program is part of the Illinois America 250 initiative which commemorates the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States through educational programs, historical interpretation and community events throughout the state. The event is hosted by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, St. Clair County Historical Society, the Lewis and Clark Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, and the Belleville Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
About IDNR
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources was established in 1925 as the Illinois Department of Conservation, bringing under one umbrella oversight of fish and game, forestry, public works, and lakes. Today, IDNR's work encompasses management of about 400 sites across Illinois, including state parks and historic sites; wildlife, fisheries, forestry, and natural heritage; Lake Michigan water allocation and coastal management; conservation police; mines and minerals; oil and gas; issuance of licenses, permits, and numerous grants; the World Shooting and Recreational Complex in Sparta; and the Illinois State Museum. Visit https://dnr.illinois.gov and follow us on Facebook , YouTube and LinkedIn .
Illinois Historic Preservation Agency published this content on June 30, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on July 01, 2026 at 16:05 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]