As the United States celebrates its semiquincentennial this year, the nonpartisan organizing committee America250 has a goal as ambitious and audacious as the Declaration of Independence it’s commemorating. Designed as an apolitical celebration for all Americans to not only honor, experience and deepen their understanding of the country but to connect them with each other, the yearlong celebration involves federal agencies, sporting events and dozens of iconic American brands and organizations to unite its 350 million residents.
“It’s very important for everyone to feel like this is their commemoration and celebration,” America250 Commission Chair Rosie Rios told Spectrum News. “We think that there should be something for everyone.”
Rios calls it 350 for 250 — 350 million Americans celebrating America for its 250th anniversary.
The party has already started. America250 was part of Times Square’s annual ball drop on New Year’s Eve in New York City and had a float in the annual Rose Bowl Parade one day later, where organizers handed out 20,000 handheld American flags for visitors to wave from the stands. During the Super Bowl, America250 was not only featured on the coin that was tossed to determine possession of the ball to start the game, but also on the football and the field.
America250 will feature prominently again over the summer when, for the first time in Times Square history, New York City will drop the ball midyear — at midnight to mark the start of Fourth of July — officially setting off a nationwide “ultimate block party” in all 50 states; Washington, D.C.; and five U.S. territories: American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
All 56 areas will be represented at the Great American State Fair on the National Mall on July 4.
In a party that will take place across nine time zones in national parks, city stadiums and state fairs and include potlucks, concerts and fireworks, the ultimate block party on the Fourth of July will include viewing parties for participants to see celebrations in other areas.
“Everything we’re doing at America250 is unprecedented in scope and scale,” Rios said.
The Girl Scouts, Ram Trucks, Heinz ketchup — dozens of iconic American brands have partnered with America250. They also include Airstream, which pioneered riveted aluminum travel trailers in the 1930s. For an initiative called Our American Story, the Ohio company has transformed several of its recreational vehicles into recording studios for people to share their personal stories about military service, family heritage or cultural traditions, Rios said. While some of the stories are available on the America250 website, she said the goal is to have a selection of them preserved in perpetuity at the Library of Congress.
The Library of Congress is one of dozens of institutions partnering with America250. The National Archives has created an exhibit called “The Two Georges,” about Founding Father George Washington and England’s King George III. It is also displaying the founding documents, including the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights and the Constitution.