Constitution Day reminds us, each September 17, of our uniquely stable and productive form of government. And each year in West Virginia, Independence Day celebrations start long before the Fourth of July. Ripley, for example, starts “America’s largest small-town Independence Day celebration” in late June, commemorating the Declaration of Independence and our country’s independence from the brutish, British king.
But there’s a much bigger commemoration coming soon—celebrating not just our founding date of July 4, 2026, but also how we have developed over 250 years of history.
The U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission and the America250 Foundation are leading the nation in this celebration. The lead up provides time to reflect on our ideals of freedom and equality, to recognize how far we have come as a nation, and to explore where else we can go. The Commission and Foundation involve leaders, historians, several advisory councils, and others, such as the one on civics and civic engagement, on which I serve. Several states have also established commissions to partner and plan commemorations.
The America250 Foundation is encouraging communities across the country to make our journey to this milestone as special as the historic day itself. A250 is planning and facilitating programs that will celebrate the diversity of American life, inclusively deepen understanding of our history and founding principles, and inspire civic engagement.
For example, the Young People’s Continental Congress will bring together high school students from across the nation to discuss and address democratic ideals and civic engagement as they are relevant to today. The program harks back to the First and Second Continental Congresses, but the kids probably won’t declare independence.
America250 is also working to inspire local events in every corner of the country. There are small and large ways for our local libraries, museums, schools, and each American to contribute as we approach 2026. Here are a few ideas.
Encourage your local library, for instance, to feature speakers, books, and archival material sharing the history of your city or town. Special signage about America’s 250th above the shelves could attract library-goers to discover, for example, what Cabell County was like in 1815, when Andrew Jackson led West Virginian and other troops at the Battle of New Orleans, creaming the British soldiers who had already lost the War of 1812 and didn’t know yet.
Libraries aren’t the only place to go. Events at museums, colleges and universities, city halls, and civic association buildings can explore our past and our future through music, drama, lectures, and more. If you work at any such institution, please start thinking about how it can contribute.
Our schools are also in a great position to inspire the next generation to shape our next 250 years.
Classrooms can take advantage of the huge volume of curricular materials on American history and government. TheBill of Rights Institute, Ashbrook Center, Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, Jack Miller Center for Teaching America’s Founding Principles and History, and many others offer resources for students and teachers.
Similarly, the Case Method Project lets students imagine they are in a political crisis and act, consistently with core principles, to solve it. Immersion activities like this are great for adults as well as kids.
Inspiring civic engagement is another core theme for America250. The 2022 midterm elections are coming soon. Voter registration drives certainly celebrate U.S. democracy. Community service projects, when they are connected to a core principle like religious liberty, free speech, or equal justice under the law, also definitely count.
Or just host a block party where you and your neighbors toast our freedom, appreciate the right to gather in the street to enjoy one another’s company or advocate for basic rights, and celebrate an America where we fight each other’s ideas more than we fight each other.
Don’t wait for 2026 to celebrate American independence from the kinds of tyranny that still exist around the world.
A great way to get started is to visit America250.org, sign up for more information, and think about how you, your family, your friends, and your workplace want to celebrate. What unique part will you bring to the American story?
Adam Kissel is a member of the Civics and Civic Engagement Advisory Council for America250 and a senior fellow at the Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy.