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.
‘Obviously idiotic’: Trump’s plan for drones, snipers at the ‘Triumphal Arch’ gets a cold reception
President Trump’s idea of using his proposed 250-foot triumphal arch near Washington as a weapons storage site and staging area for snipers and drones is drawing criticism from Capitol Hill lawmakers and questions from military analysts.
How the Bible has shaped American history
After the many and various America 250 summertime celebratory events, it is easy to conclude the national semiquincentennial is drawing to its close.
Flights to be halted for three hours at Reagan National during Freedom 250 Grand Prix
Flights out of Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport will stop for three hours to keep the skies clear ahead of the Freedom 250 Grand Prix.
Trump to attend high school Patriot Games in Ohio
President Trump will travel to Geneva, Ohio, on Tuesday to attend the finals of the Patriot Games, a high school athletic competition that he helped launch as part of America’s 250th anniversary.
‘In Pursuit’: Clinton, Bush and Obama step up as essayists on presidents
When George W. Bush wrote an essay this year about another president named George, he avoided mentioning the one named Donald.
D.C. to witness high-speed racing on National Mall with Freedom 250 Grand Prix
The District has logged plenty of miles bringing world-class events to the city, but turning its diagonal, narrow streets into a racetrack presented a new challenge ahead of this month’s Freedom 250 Grand Prix.
Patriot Games near as competitors shrug off ‘Hunger Games’ comparison
More than 100 young athletes will gather in Geneva, Ohio, this weekend for the Freedom 250 Patriot Games, an athletic competition that President Trump painted as proof of American exceptionalism but which critics compared to the dystopian “Hunger Games” franchise.
Trump’s arch could disrupt the historical significance of many of Washington’s sites, report says
President Donald Trump’s proposed 250-foot-tall (76-meter) memorial arch could disrupt the historical significance of dozens of sites near its planned location, according to an assessment by the National Park Service.
UFC Freedom 250 cost company $30 million, but leadership calls the exposure worth it
The White House’s June mixed martial arts matches cost UFC’s owners about $30 million, but long-term exposure and deals could make it worth every dollar.
A guide to U.S. patriotic songs, from ‘The Liberty Song’ to Jay-Z and Kanye West
The history of American patriotic songs offers a lesson about the different ways you can say you love your country.
The year of human rights
This year, Americans commemorate two anniversaries: the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Moscow Helsinki Group.
U.S. Mint produces a $1 coin bearing Trump’s face to help celebrate America’s 250th birthday
The U.S. Mint has begun producing a new $1 coin bearing President Donald Trump’s face to help celebrate America’s 250th birthday, the Treasury Department said Wednesday.
Trump unveils Freedom 250: IndyCars to race past Capitol, National Mall in August
President Trump announced Monday that IndyCars will race through the streets of Washington — including down Pennsylvania Avenue and around the National Mall — in a free two-day event next month marking the 250th anniversary of American independence.
1776 Declaration of Independence broadside sells for $3.6 million in auction
A rare July 1776 printing of the Declaration of Independence anchored a blockbuster sale of Americana at Goldin, the Runnemede, New Jersey-based auction house that closed its USA 250th Anniversary Historical Auction on Wednesday.
‘Pretending they don’t know’: Governors accused of ignoring National Guard misuse in D.C.
Democratic governors sent National Guard troops to D.C. for the 250th anniversary — now critics say those troops are being pulled into Trump’s ongoing crime crackdown, and some governors are pulling out early.
America’s next 250 years faces a fight between freedom and socialism
A growing movement on the left is trying to convince Americans that our history is shameful, that our economic system is oppressive and that our founding principles must be replaced.
WATCH: America, 250 years strong
America’s 250th year kicks off and my, what a tremendous republic we still are. Challenges abound, but American Exceptionalism is going strong.
Mamdani urges Americans to ‘turn together’ on 250th birthday
NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani wants Americans to “take measure of who we are” on the nation’s 250th birthday, extolling the U.S. as a nation of promise while challenging it to be more equitable and welcoming to outsiders.
Freedom 250 organizers delay entry into fireworks viewing area due to heat
People attending the Fourth of July “Salute to America” event on the National Mall will enter hours later than originally planned because of high temperatures.
Pope urges U.S. to recommit to founding ideas of protecting life, human dignity on 250th anniversary
Pope Leo XIV prayed Friday for the United States to recommit itself to its founding ideals of protecting life and human dignity as he participated remotely in an event on the eve of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
Philadelphia cancels Independence Day parade as heat complicates 250th birthday celebrations
Philadelphia canceled its Independence Day parade on Friday, a victim of heat gripping the eastern U.S. and hurting America’s 250th birthday.
Sold out: Kennedy Center’s rooftop July 4th fireworks packages go for as much as $25,000
The Kennedy Center sold out of tickets to watch the Fourth of July fireworks from its rooftop terrace, including a ticket package at $25,000.
Trump urges Americans to check out American Revolution statue exhibit in the heart of Washington
President Trump on Friday announced the opening of a “Spirit of ‘76” exhibit on Freedom Plaza in the nation’s capital.
Extreme heat bears down as America 250 celebrations ramp up. Trump heads to Mount Rushmore
Festivities commemorating the 250th anniversary of American independence from Great Britain kick into higher gear across the United States on Friday as celebrations are balanced with efforts to stay safe as much of the country bakes under extreme heat.
Britain’s National Archives finds copy of Declaration of Independence in captured U.S. ship’s papers
Michael Scurr has been volunteering at Britain’s National Archives for the last 11 years, spending his Thursday mornings painstakingly cataloging documents for the benefit of future researchers.
WATCH: Sec. Hegseth thanks National Guard as he highlights D.C.’s ‘Safe and Beautiful’ task force
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth joined members of the National Guard Thursday to highlight the work of the Trump administration’s D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force as the city kicks off the 250th anniversary celebrations.
WATCH: Inside the Federal Circuit’s hidden history ahead of America 250
Just in time for America’s 250th celebration, Circuit Librarian Jessica Perovich and Chief Judge Kimberly Moore join Washington Times reporter Mary McCue Bell to detail the courthouse’s surprising ties to history ahead of a rare, one-day public opening on July 3rd.
America at 250 should heed Reagan’s Independence Day lesson
On July 4, 1986, President Ronald Reagan gave one of the most powerful addresses of his career.
Hot dogs for history: July 4 competition to feature America250 flair
The Fourth of July hot dog-eating contest at New York’s Coney Island has been eagerly awaiting the nation’s 250th birthday, with plans to up patriotism as competitors down the beef and buns.
Let go of America’s darker moments
America’s 250th anniversary should be a celebration that unifies the nation.
America at 250: The United States has been blessed
It’s been said that to be born in America is to win the lottery of life - and I couldn’t agree more.
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.
From refrigerators to rock ‘n’ roll — America marks 250 years of unsung inventions
Americans created airplanes, computer chips, the internet and automobile assembly lines across 250 years of industry — but they’ve also invented unheralded gems such as refrigerators, barcodes, washing machines and Doppler radar.
The idea of separating church and state has deep religious and secular roots
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The United States of America unrecognizable at 250
Many of us who monitor federal excess are fearful of out-of-control democracy, which is what we have in America today.
America at 250: Declaration’s self-evident truths need defending again
Two hundred and fifty years ago, self-evident truths meant something.
Hamilton, Jefferson and Trump: Historians see a founding-era playbook still at work
As the nation celebrates its 250th birthday, some historians say President Trump’s emphasis on states’ rights, national self-sufficiency, “America First” foreign policy and a revival of manufacturing harks back to the vision of America’s Founding Fathers.
Happy birthday to the United States of America. What happens next?
As we wander toward Independence Day, a lot of politicians will mention President Lincoln’s description of the United States as “the last, best hope for mankind.”
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.
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.
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.