Spirit of '76 at Freedom Plaza
Honoring the heroes, soldiers, martyrs, and ideals that forged the United States in 1776
ReadFreedom Plaza D.C. Freedom Plaza D.C.National Park Service
"Spirit of '76 at Freedom Plaza" is a statuary exhibition in Washington, DC, marking America's 250th anniversary. It features a central 23-foot bronze statue, 12 Revolutionary soldiers, an equestrian monument, and an environment honoring prison ship martyrs. Let's take a closer look.
Freedom Plaza D.C. Freedom Plaza D.C. Spirit of LibertyNational Park Service
Spirit of Liberty
This 23-foot bronze centerpiece holds a gilded Declaration of Independence and points her sword to the sky. Reliefs on her base depict key revolutionary moments.
Freedom Plaza D.C. Freedom Plaza D.C. Caesar RodneyNational Park Service
Caesar Rodney
Despite suffering from severe illness, Caesar Rodney rode 80 miles overnight through a thunderstorm on July 1, 1776, arriving in Philadelphia to cast Delaware's decisive tie-breaking vote for independence.
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12 Soldiers Exhibition
These twelve bronze statues form a civic tableau commemorating ordinary citizens—farmers, teachers, pastors, and blacksmiths—who volunteered for the Continental Army and militia forces.
Simon Knowles
Knowles honors the thousands of common soldiers who endured extreme hardship to secure independence. Enlisted at 15, he fought at Bunker Hill, crossed the Delaware, survived Valley Forge, and served the full 8 years through 1783, returning to life as a modest farmer.
Caesar Glover
The ultimate freedom fighter. Enslaved in Africa and sold in Massachusetts, Glover served 3 years in the Marblehead Regiment, helping row Washington's army across the icy Delaware River, claiming his hard-won freedom.
Dr. Joseph Warren
The Boston physician who dispatched Paul Revere. Commissioned as Major General, he chose to fight as a private at Bunker Hill, where he was killed and became an early patriot martyr.
Jude Hall
Escaping slavery to join the 3rd New Hampshire Regiment, Hall fought at Bunker Hill, Trenton, Saratoga, and Monmouth. His immense strength earned him the nickname "Old Rock."
John Peter Muhlenberg
The pastor who declared "there is a time to fight." Recruiting 300 congregants, Muhlenberg became a Major General, endured Valley Forge, fought at Yorktown, and served in Congress framing the Bill of Rights.
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James Armistead Lafayette
An enslaved double agent, Lafayette infiltrated British headquarters, sending false reports to Cornwallis and true intel to Washington, playing a crucial role in the Yorktown victory.
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Samuel Whittemore
At age 78, this veteran single-handedly fought British troops after Lexington, survived being shot point-blank and bayoneted 13 times. Whittemore lived another 18 years to age 96.
James Caldwell
This Army chaplain was known as the "Fighting Parson." During battle, he handed out church hymnals for cannon wadding, shouting "Give 'em Watts, boys!" as he rallied Continental troops.
Jack Sisson
Sisson was an enslaved patriot who steered a daring night raid into enemy territory to capture British General Prescott without firing a shot. He later fought in the 1st Rhode Island Regiment.
Naphtali Daggett
This distinguished Yale professor grabbed his musket and led 100 students against 2,000 advancing British troops. He fiercely defended New Haven, holding them off until local citizens escaped to safety.
Peter Salem
An emancipated patriot who fought at Lexington, Concord, and Bunker Hill, where he delivered the shot that killed British Major Pitcairn. He served throughout the war until 1780.
Salem Poor
This enslaved man bought his freedom and showed exceptional bravery at Bunker Hill, leading 14 officers to petition Congress to award him for gallantry in battle.
Freedom Plaza D.C. Freedom Plaza D.C. Prison Ship MartyrsNational Park Service
Prison Ship Martyrs
Honoring 12,000 Americans who died in horrific British captivity ships—more than died in all war battles combined. Inward-facing bronze slabs simulate a ship's claustrophobic hull.
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Located on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, DC, the Spirit of '76 exhibition inspires new generations to cherish courage, sacrifice, faith, and freedom.
