Two hundred and fifty years ago today, the Declaration of Independence was signed, in which the Thirteen Colonies joined to declare their independence from the British monarchy to form the United States of America with its thirteen original states: New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. Our country has changed a lot since then, but what has remained constant over the past two and a half centuries is our celebration of independence each year on the Fourth of July. This year will be no different, but it will also likely be unlike any other as America celebrates its semiquincentennial. We've been preparing for this day—and for this year—for the last decade. In 2016, Congress created and appointed the nonpartisan and nonprofit United States Semiquincentennial Commission, operating under the brand name America250, to promote and coordinate the United States' Semiquincentennial. This commission is not to be confused with the separate Freedom 250 brand name, formally known as the White House Task Force on Celebrating America's 250th Birthday, which was created in January 2025 by President Trump to "provide a grand celebration worthy of the momentous occasion of the 250th anniversary of American Independence on July 4, 2026," per The White House in its executive order release. Both America250 and Freedom 250 have their own calendars full of celebratory events scheduled for and around this Fourth of July, as well as events that took place throughout 2025 and so far this year, with more events still to come this year from both, and even more events from the United States Semiquincentennial Commission throughout 2027.
I've always celebrated the Fourth of July in the same two ways for as long as I can remember. First, my parents and I have always traveled downstate to either one or both of my grandmothers' for a lively family celebration alongside my aunts, uncles, and cousins; and then, second, with a weekend getaway with our family friends at their lakehouse in Wisconsin, celebrating the holiday in style by swimming in and boating on the lake, grilling burgers, hot dogs, and brats for lunch and dinner, and watching the sunsets from the outdoor swing with a treat before trekking back down to the dock after dark to watch the annual lake fireworks show put on by the owner of the marina. Both experiences are highlights of my July, and while the fireworks show no longer takes place, there's still so much to be excited about in the build-up to the holiday, especially this year. So, whether you're with family, watching the national celebrations solo from home, also on the lake, or anything in between, I hope you have an explosive Fourth of July and holiday weekend. Happy two hundred and fiftieth, America, and here's to two hundred and fifty more years to come.