The first public reading of the Declaration of Independence in Pennsylvania took place in Philadelphia.
The reading occurred on July 8, 1776, at noon, after Congress had adopted the document four days earlier. John Nixon read the Declaration aloud in the yard of the Pennsylvania State House, the building now known as Independence Hall.
Public readings helped spread the news beyond the delegates who had debated the document. Readings also occurred that day in Trenton, New Jersey, and Easton, Pennsylvania. The text was printed in broadsides and newspapers so it could circulate among the colonies and the Continental Army.
Philadelphia is sometimes confused with Easton because both are in Pennsylvania and both hosted early readings. Easton’s reading took place at the county courthouse, while Philadelphia’s occurred at the State House. These events helped turn a congressional resolution into a public announcement.