July Fourth, 1862—At Sea

Park Event · National Mall and Memorial Parks · Sep 2, 2026 · 10:30 AM–11:00 AM

What was Independence Day like aboard a sailing ship in the middle of the ocean? Join us for the story of six-year-old Sara Delano, future mother of Franklin D. Roosevelt, who spent 128 days at sea traveling to China in 1862.

Drawn from a firsthand Roosevelt family journal, this talk reveals a world of tall ships, global voyages, and a Fourth of July celebration complete with cake, ice cream, and cannon fire.

Source: National Park Service (public domain).