America 250
2026 marks 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Leading up to the July 4th anniversary, the country is celebrating 'America250' by honoring the milestones that got us here.
74 things to do in Washington, D.C. this Independence Day weekend: July 3-5
Fireworks, Founding-era festivities and patriotic performances headline an Independence Day weekend packed with ways to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary in and around the nation’s capital.
Washington Monument will look like a birthday candle for America’s 250th
The Washington Monument is once again turning into “America’s tallest birthday candle” through a Freedom 250 light display.
When treason became a nation: The story of July 4, 1776
Nearly 250 years ago, 56 men gathered in the Pennsylvania State House. The date: July 4, 1776.
Americans step out for their nation’s 250th in a proud moment sown with division and doubt
One of the stars of the American firmament once advised citizens of all stripes how to express their love of country. Mark Twain’s long-ago words capture how Americans are stepping out this week to wish their nation a happy milestone birthday.
The PR campaign that sold America on independence
This Fourth of July commemorates the 250th anniversary of American independence, but it also marks the end of the most successful public relations campaign of all time.
50 Cent set to perform at Trump Jr.’s exclusive D.C. club on eve of America’s 250th anniversary
Rapper 50 Cent is scheduled to headline a Friday performance at Executive Branch, Donald Trump Jr.’s members-only club in D.C., on the eve of America’s semiquincentennial celebrations. The appearance represents a notable reversal for the rapper, who said in October 2024 that he had declined a $3 million offer to perform at the president’s rally at Madison Square Garden.
America at 250 should celebrate founders, freedom and Mel Brooks
July Fourth is the day we commemorate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States.
George Washington goes digital to tour U.S. aboard Trump’s ‘Freedom Trucks’
President Trump’s mobile museums commemorating America’s 250th anniversary, dubbed “Freedom Trucks,” are rolling out and traversing the nation.
A 250th birthday salute to America’s rich, complex chess legacy
We’ve had nearly 250 years of trying, but it’s still hard to pin down an identifiable “American” style of chess.
Heads up: a rare ‘July 4th’ quarter is making its way into circulation for America’s 250th
Thomas Jefferson, the face of the nickel, is now the face of 250,000 special quarters the United States Mint is releasing to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary.
66 things to do in (and around) Washington, D.C. this weekend: June 26-28
Whether you’re looking to get an early start in celebrating America’s 250th birthday, catch live music under the stars, browse local markets or escape into a museum’s air-conditioned galleries, the Washington area has no shortage of ways to spend the final weekend of June.
Uniting the states: Great American State Fair delivers star-spangled showcase
The opening of the Great American State Fair on Thursday offered a coast-to-coast showcase of the nation’s unique cultures and traditions as the United States was just days away from celebrating its 250th anniversary.
The U.S. founders’ other revolutionary choice: Separating religion and government
Did the founders of the United States intend to create a Christian nation? Political leaders who addressed a prayer rally on the National Mall on May 17, 2026, seem to think so.
250 years in, Americans trust their doctor far more than their government
Trust in the federal government hasn’t really improved — it’s just flipped sides.
Trump mixes politics, patriotism to kick off the ‘Great American State Fair’
President Trump kicked off a 16-day celebration of the United States’ 250th anniversary with a political-style rally on the National Mall in Washington.
U.S. at 250 should remember Declaration’s self-evident truths
As the Fourth of July nears, it is a fitting time to recall the drafting of the Declaration of Independence.
How Americans are feeling about the country’s 250th anniversary, according to new polls
Duane Mitchell has big plans for America’s 250th anniversary.
‘Exactly where you’re sitting’: Revolutionary War taverns toast 250, tell tales from history
As you make your way around the wood-paneled interior of the Old ‘76 House tavern, you might notice an upside-down portrait of Benedict Arnold on a back wall.
Trump is the frontman for his own party as rival groups vie to shape America’s 250th anniversary
That unifying theme is being tested as the anniversary celebrations intensify in the coming weeks with Trump giving himself central billing.
Red, white and blue: A strategy for survival as Native Americans navigate 250 years of history
Swiftly marching toward westward expansion, the United States in the 1800s brought with it a tidal wave of displacement and cultural suppression for Native Americans.
Macy’s Fourth of July show to feature Post Malone, Blake Shelton, Salt-N-Pepa and Shaboozey
Macy’s will celebrate America’s 250th birthday with a Fourth of July fireworks show live on NBC featuring Post Malone, Blake Shelton, Salt-N-Pepa, Noah Kahan, Bebe Rexha and Shaboozey.
New Jersey town cancels celebration for America’s 250th, citing safety worries
Mount Holly, New Jersey, is canceling its Independence Day events due to safety concerns.
America250 tourism expected to outdraw 1976 bicentennial events
Tourism during 1976, America’s bicentennial, famously underperformed expectations for the nation’s capital, but D.C. insiders say this summer’s 250th birthday party will do better.
Can America still celebrate together? The 250th birthday is about to find out
Americans wondering when the nation’s 250th birthday party would get rolling were answered last weekend as the White House hosted the UFC Freedom 250 cage fight — an over-the-top patriotic spectacle that was either “tragically tacky” or “absolutely brilliant,” depending on your political affiliation.
Most Americans see freedoms under threat but core to nation’s identity, AP-NORC poll finds
Most Americans believe civil liberties like the right to vote are under threat, according to a new AP-NORC poll, while also continuing to agree that the rights expressed in the nation’s founding documents are still core to American identity.
McDonald’s is serving fried apple pie again for America’s 250th birthday
McDonald’s is frying up some apple pies to honor America’s 250th birthday.
Jefferson changed the trajectory of history
This July 4, the Declaration of Independence turns 250 years old. It is a moment for quiet reflection, loud celebration and pursuing, with everything we have, all that is promised in it.
Foiled plot targeting UFC event at White House meant to set off revolution by killing Trump
A plot to unleash explosive drones and sniper fire at the UFC Freedom 250 event at the White House was meant to “jump-start” a revolution by killing President Trump and other top political figures, federal prosecutors said Tuesday.
Trump’s National Garden of American Heroes hit with lawsuit
A handful of Washington preservation organizations are suing the Trump administration over President Trump’s National Garden of American Heroes — a massive outdoor complex planned to feature 250 larger-than-life statues of notable American figures.
FBI foils plot targeting White House UFC Freedom 250 event
The FBI said five people have been arrested in connection with a plot to target Sunday’s UFC Freedom 250 event at the White House with explosive-laden drones.
Don’t expect a repeat. UFC boss says ‘never again’ to another White House fight night
By the time Justin Gaethje pummeled his bloodied foe to a pulp and celebrated a championship win, this much about his company’s future was clear to the ultimate boss of UFC: Just say no to the White House.
A diamond, a whale bone and lots of letters: What’s inside the America 250 time capsule
Paper, the traditional gift for marking a couple’s first year of marriage, also is a great choice for 250th anniversaries - especially when filling a time capsule celebrating American independence.
Trump outlines July 4 D.C. rally plans: ‘Do not miss it’
President Trump said Monday he will commemorate America’s 250th birthday by holding the “most spectacular TRUMP RALLY of them all” on the National Mall on July 4.
Patriotism, not politics: UFC fans tout love of sport, country at Freedom 250 events
The politicization of Sunday’s UFC fights on the White House’s South Lawn was unavoidable. But fans at the weekend’s festivities on the Ellipse offered a different perspective, with many saying they saw the event as unifying and a celebration of the continued legitimization of mixed martial arts.
Grateful to our true heroes as we turn 250
Every five years, to celebrate their reign, Roman emperors sponsored a festival, usually consisting of gladiatorial fights, combat against ferocious animals, chariot races, boxing and theater.
Donald Trump turns 80 and celebrates with UFC cage fighting on the White House lawn
President Trump turned 80 on Sunday and was set to celebrate with one of the more surreal spectacles both in sports and even in the nation’s capital: cage fighting on the White House lawn.
Inside the crowd drawn to Trump’s UFC fight night at the White House
One by one, the burly mixed martial arts fighters made their entrance past the solemn, hulking marble statue of America’s 16th president and jogged down the steps of the Lincoln Memorial to roars from thousands of fans drawn to the unusual sporting weekend marking the nation’s 250th anniversary and President Donald Trump’s 80th birthday.
How Americans celebrated the bicentennial — with fireworks, a Freedom Train and Farrah
In 1976’s ” Rocky,” heavyweight champion Apollo Creed arrives for the title fight dressed as George Washington, reenacting the crossing of the Delaware as models costumed as the Statue of Liberty lead the way.
Obama-appointed judge refuses to block UFC fight card at White House
A federal judge denied a lawsuit filed by two Virginia residents seeking to stop this weekend’s UFC fights on the White House lawn, ruling that the two won’t be affected by the event.
Birthday punches: Trump to celebrate birthday, America’s 250th with White House UFC event
On Sunday, as President Trump marks his 80th year on Earth, he’ll set a new bar for presidential parties with professional MMA fights on the White House’s South Lawn.
Administration plans intensive, year-round construction schedule for Trump’s triumphal arch
Construction of the 250-foot-high triumphal arch that President Donald Trump wants built near the Lincoln Memorial could occur 20 hours per day, year-round, as officials push to complete the project within three years, according to a preliminary assessment by the National Park Service.
Make November National American History and Founders Month
On the Fourth of July, the country will mark 250 years since 56 men signed their names to a single sheet of parchment and pledged their lives to an idea.
Trump family selling $12K gold coin to promote White House UFC fights
A company with ties to President Trump’s two oldest sons began selling commemorative gold and silver coins on Tuesday to commemorate the UFC Freedom 250 fight card at the White House, with the most expensive piece selling for $12,000.
Gordon S. Wood, influential scholar of the American Revolution, dies at 92
Gordon S. Wood, the eminent and prolific scholar who forged a highly influential and sharply debated narrative of the country’s early years of independence through such prize-winning works as “The Creation of the American Republic” and “The Radicalism of the American Revolution,” has died. He was 92.
Pro-Democrat group sues to halt UFC fights on White House lawn on Trump’s birthday
A Democrat-leaning group is suing to stop the UFC Freedom 250 fights at the White House next weekend, arguing that it is a “profoundly corrupt” event in which President Trump and his political allies will gain financially.
These houses of worship are older than America. How they outlasted wars, schisms and lawsuits
When the country declared independence in 1776, there were 3,228 houses of worship across the Colonies. The U.S. was already religiously diverse
Lawsuit seeks to stop the UFC fight on the White House South Lawn for Trump’s birthday
A federal lawsuit seeks to halt the upcoming UFC fight card on the White House South Lawn in a mixed martial arts show timed for President Donald Trump’s 80th birthday and part of the celebration of the nation’s 250th anniversary.
Great American State Fair has new act: Big rally, Lee Greenwood, military music groups
The Freedom 250 concerts on the National Mall will be replaced by “A Rally to end all Rallies,” President Trump announced.
Bret Michaels’ guitarist unloads on fans who turned on singer over Freedom 250
Bret Michaels’ guitarist unloads on fans who turned on singer over Freedom 250: “I’m not saying you have to openly support him. But those that called us friends four days ago and have used and abused us and have now turned on us: F—- OFF.”
The Revolutionary War’s chief villain is being rehabilitated — just in time for America’s 250th
“Mad” King George III - the villain of “Hamilton,” “Schoolhouse Rock” and the Revolutionary War - has undergone a makeover in time for America’s 250th birthday.
Why we must preserve U.S. history
As America approaches its 250th birthday, we should ask ourselves a simple question: What kind of country do we want to leave behind for the next generation?
America reaches 250 with unity and patriotism in retreat
The United States will observe its 250th birthday in one month, but it is shaping up more like a memorial service for a lost loved one than a party to celebrate something special.
Cannons lost underwater during the American Revolution will soon go on display at a Georgia museum
A museum in Georgia’s oldest city on Wednesday welcomed a truckload of treasures from the earliest period of U.S. history - 17 cannons that experts believe sank to the bottom of the Savannah River during the American Revolution and remained undiscovered for nearly 240 years.