Celebrating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 2026, can help bring us together and restore our confidence in America’s future. The nation’s positive experience celebrating America’s Bicentennial in 1976 provides that model.
President-elect Donald Trump has already shared his vision to make our 250th birthday the biggest and most spectacular celebration of patriotism. He aims to “showcase the glory of every state in the Union, promote pride in our history, and put forth innovative visions for America’s future.”
Trump’s vision pairs perfectly with the work already underway by America250, the bipartisan commission established by Congress in 2016 to educate, engage and unite every American in the celebration. America250’s plans complement Trump’s ideas for our big anniversary.
America250 will provide Americans with innumerable opportunities to share stories, volunteer, wave flags and honor those who have sacrificed to preserve our freedom. Contests and storytelling platforms invite diverse answers to a question that can engage everyone: “What does America mean to you? Through the America’s Field Trip contest, students in third through twelfth grade can win unforgettable field trips to the nation’s most iconic historical and cultural landmarks, such as Yellowstone National Park and the Statue of Liberty, by submitting writing or original artwork in response to that prompt.
America250 plans to strengthen civic education by helping teachers instill in young Americans a deep appreciation for the principles of the Declaration of Independence. These enduring principles acknowledge that “all men are created equal” and that our Creator endows us all with unalienable rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
In addition, America250 has helped create State and Territory Commissions that will take the celebration to local communities. Outstanding among the State Commissions is Virginia, the birthplace of Declaration of Independence author Thomas Jefferson. Under the leadership of Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, the VA250 Commission has already developed education programs and celebrations that other states can model.
America250 is eagerly awaiting further details of Trump’s plan. Celebrating our big anniversary can inspire Americans to reflect on our nation’s past and look toward a more prosperous and free future that embraces America’s spirit and limitless potential. Our nation’s 250th birthday can bring us together, restore our confidence, and increase our optimism as the celebration of our Bicentennial did in 1976.
Much like today, the 1970s were not a time of peace and tranquility for America. Reeling from Vietnam and the Watergate scandal and struggling to control runaway inflation, Americans experienced deep divisions. In September 1975, President Gerald Ford even dodged two assassination attempts in the span of 17 days. These dynamics fueled America’s disillusionment with Washington politics and stoked a fear that our best days were behind us.
The Bicentennial provided the antidote, reminding us of the courage and foresight of our Founding Fathers in establishing a system of constitutional self-government that has allowed Americans to strive towards becoming a more perfect union. As the oldest constitutional republic in the world, it is our responsibility to preserve the principles on which our nation was founded. President-elect Trump and America250 are positioned to do just that by making July 4, 2026, the Semiquincentennial, a grand birthday celebration that brings us together and moves us forward.
Victoria Hughes is co-chair of America250’s Civics, History, & America’s Future Advisory Council. She began her career teaching American History during the Bicentennial year. Hughes has also served as the founding president of the Bill of Rights Institute and capped her career with the Ashbrook Center at Ashland University. In both roles, she’s helped thousands of teachers and students strengthen their understanding of America’s history and constitutional self-government.
The views and opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the author and do not reflect the official position of the Daily Caller News Foundation.
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