Bipartisan mayors from across the country will gather In Philadelphia, marching together to Independence Hall on the 250th anniversary of the vote for independence

Thursday, July 2, 2026

Washington, DC – Two hundred and fifty years ago – on July 2, 1776 – the Continental Congress voted for independence in Philadelphia. On Thursday, July 2, 2026, the U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) will convene America’s mayors on that same ground for the We the People 250 – Mayors Celebrate America: a bipartisan gathering of the leaders closest to the people. Hosted by Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker, the event will commemorate this historic moment by convening distinguished civic leaders and historians to discuss the pivotal role cities continue to play in shaping and safeguarding our democratic ideals.

In a year crowded with 250th-anniversary coverage, mayors offer what no federal official can: a bipartisan, on-the-ground read on how Americans feel right now – these are the doers and fixers, gathered on the very ground where our country was born.

On Thursday, July 2, the celebration will kick off with mayors marching from the President’s House to Independence Hall. A symposium on the Constitution and democracy then will be held at the Museum of the American Revolution, featuring renowned national thought leaders, including constitutional historian Akhil Reed Amar. See below for more details:

Thursday, July 2:

9:50 am — Philadelphia City Hall at the Catto Memorial | South Penn Square

Mayors from across the country arrive at Philadelphia City Hall and depart for the President’s House

10:10 am – Arrive at President’s House | 6th and Market Streets

Mayors will walk from the President’s House to Independence Hall, where they will gather for a photo on the 250th anniversary of the vote for independence.

10:20 am – Mayoral Photo at Independence Hall | 520 Chestnut Street

10:30 am — Walk to the Museum of the American Revolution | 101 S. Third Street

11 am – Program at the Museum of the American Revolution Begins

A public discussion on the state of American democracy. Participants include:

  • USCM President and San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria
  • Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker
  • USCM Vice President and Lincoln (NE) Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird
  • USCM Second Vice President and Columbia (SC) Mayor Daniel Rickenmann
  • Tom Cochran, USCM CEO and Executive Director
  • Akhil Reed Amar, Sterling Professor of Law and Political Science at Yale and author of Born Equal: Remaking America’s Constitution
  • Bret Perkins, SVP, Community Growth and Economic Development
    Comcast Corporation
  • R. Scott Stephenson, President and CEO, Museum of the American Revolution
  • Adrienne Whaley, Director of Education and Community Engagement, Museum of the American Revolution

Press Credentialing and Interviews:

Members of the media are invited to cover this event. Interviews with participating mayors are available in advance and on site. To request credentials or schedule an interview, please contact Sara Durr at [email protected].