As thousands of people streamed into the historic Washington D.C. Mall to observe the Nation’s 229th Independence Day celebration, the Government Printing Office was hosting its own celebration on the rooftop of its historic building at North Capitol and G Streets. Some 350 guests joined Public Printer Bruce James for the GPO’s Third Annual Rooftop Picnic, with members of Congress, GPO employees and their families, and other friends of the GPO, including Yours Truly, taking advantage of the opportunity to participate in this special event.

The 4th in Washington was favored with beautiful weather, and though security was high, with many streets blocked to vehicle traffic, it was manageable and the crowds were in good spirits. Americans from all over the country joined visitors from around the world, visiting the many museums and monuments scattered around the Capital and staking out their spots in the grassy Mall well in advance of the evening’s festivities.

Meanwhile, the GPO staff was busy getting ready for the evening’s event, with both Veronica Meter, the GPO’s Director of Public Relations, and Gary Englehart, Assistant Chief, Facilities Division, among those arriving very early in the day to ensure that the event went off flawlessly.