Leesburg Celebrates America 250

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About Leesburg250

On July 4, 2026, our nation will commemorate 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence—a moment to reflect on our past, honor the contributions of all Americans, and envision the future we want to create. Leesburg has always stood at a crossroads—of migration, commerce, and ideas. By 1776, this thriving community was deeply engaged with the revolutionary ideals that shaped a new nation. America’s Semi-quincentennial year is the perfect time to explore Leesburg’s unique role in the struggle for independence.

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Leesburg America 250 logo
The American flag held by a group of people walking in a parade in downtown Leesburg.

Independence Day Celebration

Celebrate Independence Day with Leesburg’s annual parade! Join friends and neighbors for music, fun, and a true patriotic celebration in Historic Downtown Leesburg. Starting at 10am from Ida Lee Park, the parade travels down King Street to Fairfax Street. Show your patriotic spirit and enjoy the American Originals Fife & Drum Corps prelude at 9:45am Highlights include the 16th annual Patriot’s Cup Competition, sponsored by Loudoun Now, honoring the best parade entry.

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Calendar of Events

Join us throughout the year with events to honor the past, highlight the present and shape the future.

Leesburg in the American Revolution

Leesburg, the county seat of Loudoun, played a pivotal role in supporting the American Revolution. After the Boston Tea Party, Parliament passed the Coercive Acts, closing Boston’s port and curtailing the rights of colonists in Massachusetts. In response, on June 14, 1774, leading men of Loudoun gathered at the Leesburg courthouse to adopt the Loudoun Resolves, pledging solidarity with Boston and agreeing to boycott British tea and goods. This meeting marked Loudoun’s formal commitment to the Patriot cause.

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A group of young men dressed as Militiamen in Revolutionary War uniforms marching down King Street in Leesburg in a Christmas parade from the 1970s.

Videos

Videos from the Thomas Balch Library showcase the people, places, and moments that shaped both the town and the nation as the United States approaches its 250th anniversary.

Painting of black patriots and loyalists from the 18th century.

An American Revolution Symposium: Honoring Black Patriots & Loyalists

Watch this four-episode series that introduces the often-forgotten contributions of black patriots and loyalists who fought and died during the American Revolution.

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Loudoun County Courthouse.

Prisoners of War in Loudoun County at the Start of the American Revolution

Ian MacDougall talks about the fascinating story of prisoners of war (POWs) in Loudoun County at the start of the American Revolution.

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A hand drawn map of historic Leesburg.

A Brief History of Leesburg

Betsy Arnett talks about a journey through nearly three centuries of Leesburg history, from its inception to present day.

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Oil on canvas painting of Tan-Che-Qua who was a Chinese artist from the 18th century.

After the Fashion of His Country: Asia and Asians in the 18th Century Mid Atlantic

Daniel Sieh talks about how goods, ideas and people flowed from Asia through trade routes established by the British East India Company and reached as far as the 13 colonies and left an indelible mark.

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Story Maps

Our story maps invite residents and visitors to explore Leesburg’s role in America’s past through engaging narratives, historic maps, photographs, and interactive features.

Explore 18th Century Leesburg: A Self-Guided Walking Tour

Can you find your way around Leesburg as it appeared before the American Revolution? In 1757 the Assembly of Virginia selected a location for the Loudoun County courthouse from which the surrounding 60 acres formed a town called George Town. The name was changed to Leesburg the following year, in honor of the Lee family.

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A hand drawn picture of historic central Leesburg.
A stone wall separating the road and an open field in the Ashby's Gap region of Loudoun County.

Loudoun County's Revolutionary Landscape

Loudoun County played a vital role during the period of the American Revolution and the War for Independence. Explore the legacy of this pivotal period in American history through the landscape of Loudoun County and a few of the historic sites that relate to this tumultuous time.

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