On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress unanimously ratified the Declaration of Independence. The Declaration affirmed and justified that the Thirteen Colonies were free and independent states, no longer under British rule. To commemorate this anniversary, the Boston Public Library’s (BPL) programming theme in 2026 is Revolutionary Ideas: Boston 250, a yearlong exploration of the art, activism, and energy that highlights the revolutionary thought and innovation that has evolved since 1776. As part of this year of revolutionary programming, the BPL's Community History Department is partnering with Revolutionary Spaces to offer a series of programs titled, “Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness" (LLPoH).
Why “Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness”?
“Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” are the unalienable rights identified in the Declaration of Independence—rights that inherently belong to all human beings, and that governments are created to protect. This program series intends to bring people together to explore the American struggle to create and sustain a free society. LLPoH invites patrons to explore, question, critique, and draw inspiration from the Declaration of Independence.
What does the Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness series include?
There will be six components to this series:
- 36 Questions for Civic Love at BPL branches: Inspired by The National Public Housing Museum’s 36 Questions for Civic Love program, this event pairs participants with strangers and leads them through a series of questions to strengthen ties between neighbors. Participants will also come away with some tools for civic action.
- A Living Room Conversation in Boston’s Old State House: Participants will engage in an intentional guided conversation about themes and questions posed by the Declaration of Independence using the Living Room Conversation framework.
- Write Your Own Declaration Workshops at BPL branches: Patrons will critically analyze, question, and gather inspiration from a variety of declarations and manifestos. Then, participants will draft their own “declarations of self” to answer such questions as: What values are most important to you and your identities? How do you share your values with the world?
- Revolutionary Printmaking in BPL's historic Wiggin Gallery: Patrons will learn how printmaking was used to share revolutionary ideas through writing and art. They will learn how to use the BPL Art Department's historic presses and make their own work of art.
- Readings at the Old State House: On the Fourth of July, Revolutionary Spaces holds an annual reading of the Declaration of Independence from the Old State House balcony. Along with this tradition, participants of the Write Your Own Declaration Workshop will have the option to read their declarations aloud in the historic Council Chamber.
- LLPoH Exhibition: To conclude the “Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness” Series, we will exhibit artwork and declarations created by BPL community members over the course of the Revolutionary Printmaking and Declaration workshops. These works will be exhibited at both the Old State House and the Central Library’s Gallery J. At both the printmaking and writing workshops, patrons will have the option to contribute their creations to the exhibition.
How do I get involved?
All the LLPoH programs will be listed on BPL’s event website and on the Community History Department's website. We also recommend you sign up for the Community History Department's newsletter and Revolutionary Spaces’ email list for monthly program reminders.
You can pick and choose which programs in the LLPoH series you are interested in attending. You do not have to attend all of them.
Who is organizing this series?
BPL’s Community History Department supports individuals, community groups, and local organizations in their efforts to document stories about themselves and their communities. We believe that individuals live and make history every day, and that these stories matter. We are committed to supporting the telling of these stories, in all their richness, complexity, and diversity.
Revolutionary Spaces is a nonprofit organization that tells the interwoven story of two of Boston’s most iconic sites—the Old South Meeting House and Old State House. Their mission is to bring people together to explore the American struggle to create and sustain a free society. They steward these buildings as gathering spaces for the open exchange of ideas and the continuing practice of democracy, inspiring all who believe in the power of people to govern themselves.
Questions?
For questions about the LLPoH series, please email communityhistory@bpl.org.
Add a comment to: Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness — A Program Series