Historic Documents

North Carolina archivist discusses archives as participatory, vital; how the office will celebrate America’s 250th birthday

Chris Jones

We discuss a precious time capsule we have here in North Carolina — our state archives. We'll discuss with the state archivist what it takes to maintain history and how someone can find pieces of themselves reflected in archives. We also find out what you won’t discover in the state's archives, and why that is.

(From left) Lynette Rinker, Carolyn Neault and Erin Boyd are members of the Alexandriana Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution in Huntersville, North Carolina.

News from the Carolinas

Keeping history alive: Charlotte DAR honors the spirit of independence

Jet Francis | Queens University News Service

As the nation prepares to celebrate its 250th birthday in 2026, members of Charlotte’s Alexandriana Chapter reflect on Revolutionary War history and their ongoing mission to preserve it.

Thomas Jefferson, the principal author of the Declaration of Independence, is shown placing the document before John Hancock, president of the Congress, in this painting by John Trumbull.

United States & World

A Reading of the Declaration of Independence by NPR

Every year, NPR staff members read the Declaration of Independence.

Race & Equity

Video of Frederick Douglass' descendants delivering his speech about the Fourth of July

Five descendants of Frederick Douglass read and respond to excerpts of his famous speech, "What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?" Listen to them and read the original speech.