Join Fairfax County Public Library as we officially say, “Happy Birthday!” to the U.S.A. and honor all that our country’s independence and those who fought for it have gifted us. Check out some of the great books, crafts, presentations, children’s programs, movie and documentary viewings, and author talks available this July.
Arts and Crafts
Red, White and Blue Crafts | Martha Washington Library | Thursday, July 2
Get in the spirit of the semiquincentennial (250) and stop in for USA-inspired crafts.
July Make & Take: Americana Embroidered Tea Towels | Herndon Fortnightly Library | Various Dates
Learn how to machine-embroider Americana motifs onto tea towels during the Maker Lab’s open hours.
America at 250: Creating Patriotic Artwork with Color | Chantilly Regional Library | Wednesday, July 29
Play with red, white, blue and other colors to create a patriotic artwork.
“Hamilton”
A celebration of America’s founding wouldn’t be complete without one of the most popular musicals of all time! Presenting the tale of American founding father Alexander Hamilton, this filmed version of the original Broadway smash hit is the story of America then, told by America now.
"Hamilton" | Chantilly Regional Library | Thursday, July 2
"Hamilton" Singalong | Centreville Regional Library | Wednesday, July 15
Night at the Movies: "Hamilton" | Kings Park Library | Tuesday, July 21
History and Spies
Lafayette's Legacy: A Spy Game for Teens | Burke Centre Library | Thursday, July 2
Lafayette's Legacy: A Spy Game for Adults | Dolley Madison Library | Saturday, July 25
Imagine a local landmark is slated for demolition and only your team can prove its link to the legendary Revolutionary War double agent, James Armistead Lafayette. You’ll use 18th century tools and spy craft to solve a series of puzzles and reveal the answer to an early American mystery. Can you save history before the clock runs out?
Undercover: Espionage in American History | Herndon Fortnightly Library | Saturday, July 18
Unearth a spy story! Step into the shadowy world of spies, codes, and covert operations in this engaging exploration of espionage throughout American history. Learn essential tradecraft terminology, discover how spies were recruited, and hear true stories of operatives who shaped key moments in U.S. history.
Fun for Kids and Families
Colonial Tea Party | Martha Washington Library | Wednesday, July 15
In the spirit of Martha Washington, join us for "tea," cookies and colonial-inspired crafts and games.
Colonial Game Day | Burke Centre Library | Saturday, July 18
Drop in to celebrate with history, play, and old-fashioned entertainment! Families are invited to try their hand at classic games enjoyed by children over 200 years ago, including hoop rolling, ring toss, marbles, jump rope, dominoes, checkers, and sack races.
American Girl Book Club: Molly | Sherwood Regional Library | Sunday, July 19
American Girl Book Club will read Molly Saves the Day: A Summer Story about Molly McIntire, an American girl whose father is serving as an Army doctor in World War II. We will chat about the book and make our own Molly-inspired craft.
America 250 Pop-up Craft: Make a Colonial Style Tricorn Hat | Thomas Jefferson Library | Friday, July 24
Create and wear your very own tricorn hat, just like our fashionable founding fathers!
Author Presentations
The Forgotten World War: Exploring the Secret History of the American Revolution, from Spain to India and Back Again | Kingstowne Regional Library | Monday, July 6
The Revolutionary War wasn’t just fought in the Thirteen Colonies—it was a world war, spanning four continents. To discover more, author Derek Baxter embarks on an adventure-filled quest across the globe.
Beyond the Outpost | Kingstowne Regional Library | Tuesday, July 21
Beyond the Outpost chronicles the early years of America’s Afghanistan War. Author Ross Berkoff’s discusses his day-to-day account of the 10th Mountain Division’s campaigns and combat across Kandahar’s sand dunes and the rugged Hindu Kush mountains provides unique clarity and insight into the common soldier’s perspective, the evolving tactics of the Taliban insurgency, and the U.S. Army Cavalry’s efforts to defeat it.
Patriots Circle | Sherwood Regional Library | Saturday, July 25
Join local author John Adam Wasowicz for a discussion on the author's writing process and his latest book, Patriots Circle. Mr. Wasowicz has written several books in the Old Town mystery series, which takes place in Alexandria and profiles well-known landmarks in our area.
Not Our Problem: The True Story of an Afghan Refugee, an American Promise, and the World Between Them | Kingstowne Regional Library | Monday, July 27
Not Our Problem, a war memoir and refugee story revealed in alternating voices, follows an Afghan refugee and an American soldier across borders and continents, tracing the long distance between a promise and its keeping—interrogating a world in crisis while celebrating how friendship can outlast the war that created it.
FREE to Watch at Home on WETA+
"The American Revolution" (all six episodes, free now through 7/12) Thirteen American colonies unite in rebellion, win an eight-year war to secure their independence, and establish a new form of government that would inspire democratic movements at home and around the globe. What begins as a political clash between colonists and the British government grows into a bloody struggle that will engage more than two dozen nations and forever change the world.
Book Recommendations
eBook of the Month: 1776 by David McCullough
Each month FCPL offers a hand-picked selection featured for unlimited use. During that month, the selection will be always available with no holds, no waiting. The featured eBooks can be used for reading with friends, as virtual book club picks or just because you like to read what we suggest!
Based on extensive research on both sides of the Atlantic, 1776 by David McCullough tells the intensely human story of those who marched with General George Washington in the year of the Declaration of Independence.
You can also celebrate independence by checking out these other great reads curated by our collection specialists: