America 250 Resources
History Education
250th Anniversary – American Association for State and Local History (AASLH)
A new resource from AASLH to help local history organizations prepare for the nation’s 250th anniversary in 2026. It features more than 30 low-cost program ideas specifically geared towards smaller organizations to provide them with practical program suggestions.
Online Flipbook
In this guide, you’ll find several themes to encourage inclusive, relevant histories and provide cohesiveness to a multi-faceted, grassroots commemoration.
AASLH National Initiative Tracker
AASLH Offers a tracker of many national initiatives currently being planned by private nonprofit organizations, federal agencies, and other organizations in the museum, history, civics, and education space.
Curriculum
U.S. History
CSPAN Resources Celebrating the United States Semisequentennial- Includes the “Bell Ringer” series of videos and a collection of nine lessons:
Through the creation of birthday-themed lessons, proven pedagogies will be employed for students to analyze primary and secondary sources. To assist teachers in augmenting instruction around designated monthly observances celebrating the contributions of various generations, these themed lessons target the necessary skills (such as contextualization, comparison, evaluation, and analysis) students need to develop a deeper understanding of the complexities associated with the Declaration of Independence.
There will also be monthly professional learning webinars for educators to gain a deeper understanding of the perspectives below. Webinar links are available at the bottom of the page.
America 250 – The White House
The White House Salute to America 250 Task Force has partnered with Hillsdale College to provide a history series that tells the remarkable story of American Independence. It will highlight the stories of the crucial characters and events that resulted in a small rag-tag army defeating the mightiest empire in the world and establishing the United States of America.
Ten Steps to Revolution | Journey to American Democracy – YouTube
Journey to American Democracy examines how ordinary people worked to make the principles the founders articulated in the Declaration of Independence the law of the land. This series, Ten Steps to Revolution, explains how the king’s American subjects came to oppose monarchy and, over the course of only thirteen years, to embrace the right to govern themselves.
America’s 250th | Sphere Ed
Sphere Education Initiatives’ 250th collection integrates the study of civics across disciplines to help students identify, analyze, and evaluate the underpinnings of the founding principles outlined in the Declaration of Independence through the framework of civil discourse.
America at 250 | PBS
Join PBS in commemorating the country’s 250th Anniversary with content exploring how the United States came together, showcasing its rich history, treasured artifacts, and performances and art that define America.
America 250 | Daughters of the American Revolution
Explore the ways the National Society and DAR chapters plan to leave a lasting impact through meaningful projects and events during the Semisequentennial.
Projects/Opportunities
America’s Field Trip – America250
Closed for 2025 but may open again for 2026.
Celebrate 250 Years: Civic Star Challenge for Educators
Integrate the themes of the Declaration of Independence and America’s 250th Anniversary into your curriculum. Whether you teach English, History, Government, or Civics, you will be empowered to bring the Declaration of Independence to life with fresh, engaging, and ready-to-use resources. Teach each theme throughout the 2025-2026 school year for more chances to win over 400 incredible prizes.
Celebrate 250 Years: Civic Star Challenge for Educators
I Civics and the Bill of Rights Institute are partnering to launch “250 x 50 for A250,” a strategic national campaign to recruit and mobilize 250 teachers in each of the 50 states as civic learning advocates leading up to America’s 250th anniversary in 2026. Visit the link to learn more and apply.
PBS LearningMedia’s THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION Youth Media Challenge | KQED
What do liberty and democracy mean to you?
Inspired by themes from THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION—a new documentary by Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein, and David Schmidt, premiering on PBS November 16, 2025—this Youth Media Challenge invites students to create original media that explores Revolutionary ideals like liberty, self-governance, and democracy.
As part of the nation’s 250th Anniversary celebration, PBS LearningMedia offers resources to help learners of all ages discover how the United States came together. Explore the country’s rich history through stories, artifacts, art, and performances, and then share your own perspective with classrooms across the nation.
Made By Us – Youth250
Youth250 is the dynamic, nonpartisan initiative to capture young people’s imaginations, ideas and input as the United States turns 250 years old in 2026.
Civic Engagement/ Volunteering and Service Opportunities
America Gives – America250
An initiative designed to sustain and strengthen a year-round culture of service beyond 2026, grounded in three core pillars: charitable giving, volunteering, and public service, including military service.
Greatest American Cleanup
Keep America Beautiful- Make your community cleaner, greener, and more beautiful for America’s 250th celebration. The goal is to remove 25 billion pieces of litter from parks, waterways, and public spaces by July 4th, 2026.
9/11 Day
Support the 9/11 National Day of Service- 9/11 Day was created shortly after the September 11th terrorist attacks by David Paine and Jay Winuk. David and Jay wanted something good to come from the loss of so many lives in the 9/11 tragedy, including Jay’s younger brother, Glenn, an attorney and volunteer firefighter who was killed while responding at the World Trade Center.
They began with a simple idea: Let’s take back the day by turning the anniversary of 9/11 into a day of doing good.
This is for the 2025 event; we will update with the 2026 event once information becomes available.
Youth Service Month & Global Youth Service Day 2026
Global Youth Service Day (April 24–26, 2026) stands as the world’s longest-running annual celebration of youth engagement. It uniquely brings together young people ages 5–25 to serve the common good, while also recognizing the vital and lasting contributions youth make to their communities year-round.
Made By Us
Made By Us uses history to inform and inspire civic participation – powered by 400+ museums nationwide.
Arts, Humanities, Storytelling
Sing Democracy 250 | Commemorating the 250th anniversary of Declaration of Independence
High School, college, and Community Choirs across the United States are invited to participate in this national commemoration of America’s 250th birthday by organizing their own Sing Democracy 250 performance to take place between March 1, 2026 and December 31, 2026. Eligible choirs will receive free scores of the two new choral compositions.
America 250 Our American Story Airstream
A national effort to compile an oral history and understanding of the United States. This is your opportunity to nominate a living person – a friend, family member, neighbor, or community leader – whose story you think needs to be shared and preserved. Coming to Nebraska soon!
On Our 250th
Send a brief birthday wish to the United States as we prepare to honor its 250th anniversary in 2026. What are your hopes for America’s future and democracy? This activity is perfect for students and non students of all ages.
PBS LearningMedia’s THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION Youth Media Challenge | KQED
Share your understanding of liberty and democracy with classrooms around the country! Drawing on the themes of THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, a documentary film by Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein, and David Schmidt, premiering on PBS on November 16, 2025, PBS LearningMedia’s THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION Youth Media Challenge invites students to explore Revolutionary ideals—such as liberty, self-governance, and democracy—through media-making.
Community Events (Fairs, Festivals, Parades, etc.)
Great American State Fair
Find ideas for how fairs and festivals can incorporate the America 250 theme into programming. The state with the most patriotic state fair will be recognized by President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Rollins on stage at the America 250 Celebration on July 4th, 2026.
Calendar – America250
Find events nationwide for America 250.
Coming Soon
America Waves
An initiative designed to create moments for all Americans to come together with their communities, to wave their American flags, celebrate America’s 250th, and honor the contributions of those who brought us to where we are today.
America’s Potluck
An opportunity to come together with your neighborhood or community and hold a potluck on July 5th, 2026.
Spirit of America
An opportunity to read the Declaration of Independence on July 8th, 2026 aloud with your community members in celebration of the first public reading of the Declaration on July 8th, 1776. First Public Reading of the Declaration of Independence – Independence National Historical Park (U.S. National Park Service)