"It was received with universal shouts of joy": The Declaration of Independence is read aloud across the new United States of America

Posted on 07/06/2026

How did British colonists learn they were citizens of the United States of America in July and August 1776?

The news spread through broadsides enclosed in letters, newspapers passed between neighbors, and proclamations at local meeting houses.

Philadelphia printer John Dunlap published the first copies of the Declaration of Independence—the Dunlap broadsides.

The full printed text of the Declaration of Independence as published in 1776, showing the complete document with preamble, grievances, and signatures, displaying the formal proclamation of American independence from Great Britain. — Click to see full size image. In Congress, July 4, 1776. A declaration by the representatives of the United States of America, in general Congress assembled. Philadelphia. Printed by John Dunlap, 1776. *Early American Imprints, Series 1, no. 15156.*

While Dunlap's broadside slowly spread up and down the coast, he printed a notice in the Monday, July 8, 1776, issue of his newspaper, the Pennsylvania Packet, for citizens in Philadelphia and the surrounding communities:

THIS DAY, at Twelve o'clock, the DECLARATION of INDEPENDENCE, will be PROCLAIMED at the STATE-HOUSE.

Newspaper announcement declaring the Declaration of Independence will be proclaimed at noon at the State-House in Philadelphia. — *Pennsylvania Packet*, published as *Dunlap's Pennsylvania Packet or the General Advertiser,* July 8, 1776. From *Early American Newspapers, 1690-1922*

Historical engraving depicting a crowd gathered outside a colonial-era building with classical columns and architecture. Figures in 18th-century dress stand on the building's steps and entrance while others assemble in the foreground. The scene illustrates the public reading of the Declaration of Independence in colonial Philadelphia, a pivotal moment in American history. — The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Print Collection, The New York Public Library. "John Nixon reading the Declaration of Independence to the people in front of the State House immediately after its passage." *The New York Public Library Digital Collections.* 1765 - 1896. https://digitalcollections.nypl.org

At noon, a crowd of electors as well as people from across the city and county gathered in the warm sunshine on the south side of the Pennsylvania State House. The Sheriff of Philadelphia, William Dewees, stood by as John Nixon, colonel of a battalion of Pennsylvania Associators, read the Declaration of Independence aloud from a Dunlap broadside…The crowd cheered and applauded as Nixon finished reading. The Pennsylvania battalions fired a feu de joie—‘notwithstanding the Scarcity of Powder.'*

Similar scenes, described in newspapers, took place across the new United States.

In Richmond, Virginia, "It was received with universal shouts of joy, and re-echoed by three vollies of small arms…"

Newspaper excerpt from the Virginia Gazette describing the public proclamation of the Declaration of Independence. — *Virginia Gazette*, July 10, 1776. From *Early American Newspapers, 1690-1922.*

In a letter from Princeton, the writer remarked, "Last night Nassau-Hall was grandly illuminated, and INDEPENDANCY proclaimed under a triple volley of musketry, and universal acclamation for the prosperity of the UNITED STATES."

Newspaper excerpt description reception of the Declaration of Independence in Princeton, New Jersey. — *Pennsylvania Packet,* published as *Dunlap's Pennsylvania Packet or the General Advertiser,* July 15, 1776. From *Early American Newspapers, 1690-1922*

After "The declaration of Independence was this day proclaimed here [in Trenton]," the Pennsylvania Packet reported,

The people are now convinced of what we ought long since to have known, that our enemies have left us no middle way between perfect freedom and abject slavery.
In the Field we hope, as well as in Council, the inhabitants of New Jersey will be found ever ready to support the Freedom and Independence of America.

Newspaper excerpt from Trenton, July 8, 1776, reporting the Declaration of Independence proclaimed, militia mustered under arms in the field, and the people now convinced of the necessity of supporting freedom and independence. — *Pennsylvania Packet*, published as *Dunlap's Pennsylvania Packet or the General Advertiser*, July 15, 1776. From *Early American Newspapers, 1690-1922*

The Continental Army, posted in New York, "received [the Declaration] with the utmost Demonstrations of Joy."

Newspaper excerpt describing the Continental Army's reaction to the Declaration of Independence. — *Newport Mercury*, published as *The Newport Mercury,* July 22, 1776. From Early American Newspapers, 1690-1922

The public readings and newspaper articles generated a sense of national identity and purpose that "…evince[d] their determination to support [the United States] with their lives and fortunes." (Virginia Gazette, above)

250 years later...

On the eve of the semiquincentennial at the ALA Annual Conference in Chicago, Readex recorded librarians, library supporters, and our staff reciting passages of the Declaration of Independence—bringing together many voices from the library community into one reading of the Declaration of Independence to celebrate America's 250th anniversary.

Watch the full reading below or on YouTube.