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June 29 - July 5

LAM 15th Amendment Final Logo 

Voting Rights.  This amendment prohibited governments from denying U.S. citizens the right to vote based on race, color, or past servitude.  While the amendment provided legal protection for voting rights based on race, other means could be used to block Black citizens from voting.  These included poll taxes and literacy tests.  These methods were employed around the country to undermine the Civil War Amendments and set the stage for the Civil Rights Movement.

Saturday, June 29: 

Naturalization Ceremony
3:30 p.m. at the Vienna Community Center, Seeman Auditorium

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Naturalization Ceremony will take place during Vienna's fourth annual Liberty Amendments Month. The event will start at 3:30 p.m. with live music and entertainment. The Naturalization Ceremony starts at 5 p.m.

15 candidates for naturalization, representing countries of origin from all over the world, will take the Oath of Allegiance at the creremony. Remarks will be delivered by Vienna Mayor, Linda J. Colbert, Director of U.S. Trade and Development Enoh Ebong, and USCIS Washington Field Office Acting Director, Juan Wood. Vienna Girl Scout Troops 50157 and 1489 will present the colors and lead the pledge of allegiance.

Registration is encouraged for this event, but not required. Register here. 

Tuesday, July 2: 

 

Vienna’s Independence Day Celebration and Fireworks
6 - 10 p.m. at George C. Yeonas Park

A celebration of America’s Independence Day and Vienna’s fourth annual Liberty Amendments Month featuring live music, games, and fun for the whole family!  Food and drink will be available from the Vienna Little League concession stand and area food trucks.   

The festival will feature kids entertainment from Cantaré , kids games, and interactive activities for all ages, voter registration and resources, a high energy performance from Thunderball, all capped off by Vienna’s spectacular fireworks show at 9:30 p.m.!  Guests are encouraged to bring blankets or lawn chairs and enjoy the picnic-like atmosphere at the park.  More information and a full performer schedule is available here. 

Thursday, July 4:

 

The Foundational Documents of American Democracy – A Public Reading
11 a.m.  at the Vienna Community Center, Seeman Auditorium

Celebrate and honor Independence Day with Vienna’s second annual public, round-robin reading of the foundational documents of American democracy. All are welcome to join in as participants go around the room, taking turns reading several lines of each document at a time

Bound copies of the documents will be provided to all readers. Documents read will include Fairfax Resolves, Virginia Declaration of Rights, the Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights, Emancipation Proclamation, and, of course, the Liberty Amendments (13th, 14th, 15th and 19th Amendments to the United States Constitution).  The program will conclude with the Pledge of Allegiance. 

Registration is encouraged, but not required for this event. Register here. 

Presented by Historic Vienna, Inc., Emmaus United Church of Christ, Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Vienna Business Association and other local organizations announced here soon. 

15th Amendment Ongoing Events:

 

Museum Exhibit on the 15th Amendment On display at the Freeman Store and Museum and the Vienna Community Center during open hours. Presented by Historic Vienna, Inc.

 

15th Amendment Flash Card Quiz Available outside the Freeman Store and Museum and the Vienna Community Center. Presented by Historic Vienna, Inc.
 

Liberty Amendments Learning Tour weekly displays outside the Vienna Community Center and Freeman Store and Museum.  Learn about people who had a direct connection with creating the amendments or who benefited from the amendments.  Share your photos on social using #LibertyAmendments and tagging @TownofViennaVA. Presented by Historic Vienna, Inc.

African American Historic Sites Tour of Vienna A self-guided tour of contributions of Vienna’s African Americans from 1867 to 2006 compiled by longtime residents Sylvia Taylor and Gloria Runyon.  Click here to plan and take your tour. Presented by Historic Vienna, Inc.

 
Vienna Optimist's Farmers Market -
Saturday, July 1, 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. at the Vienna Community Center 
Music, Informative Displays and giveaways on the 15th Amendment.