July 4 2026 - Getting ready for the big celebration

Peoria's River Front Museum has one of the country's largest historical collection of the nation's revolutionary documents and artifacts

Paul Revere's iconic depiction of the Boston Massacre

Yes, freedom was the basis, but freedom to expand west was a chief reason. The Northwest territory including Illinois was coveted by the revolutionaries

Before the second continental congress signed it, this was passed around the colonies

Then the framers decided to declare independence and never looked back

Panoramic view of Peoria from high atop Peoria's twin towers

As dusk fades, the amateurs begin to launch their own celebration of our 250th