Gazette News - Happy 250th Birthday, 1776-2026, America!

 by Barb Hamilton

Official National Learning Hubs

These sites serve as the primary source for understanding the "why" behind the celebration:

• America250.org
  The official national site. It features the "America’s Field Trip" section with lesson plans and reflection prompts (e.g., "What does America mean to you?").

• U.S. Department of State: Freedom 250
  Provides a curated "Road to Independence" timeline, stories on American innovation, and "The Most American Thing" interactive series.

• National Archives: Freedom 250
  Offers a "Citizen Archivist" program where you can help transcribe historical documents. It also hosts the "Opening the Vault" digital exhibit.

Deep Dives into History & Meaning

If you want to explore the philosophical and social impact of the last 250 years, these resources are excellent:

• AASLH Field Guide
  The American Association for State and Local History provides a Field Guide (free with account) that breaks down themes like "Unfinished Revolutions" and "Power of Place."

• Smithsonian - Our Shared Future: 250
  A massive initiative focusing on how the past informs the future. It includes the "Civic Season" (Juneteenth to July 4th) toolkit designed for younger generations.

• NPS: Teaching with Historic Places
  The National Park Service offers inquiry-based lessons that use actual historic sites to explore values like Liberty and Belonging.

Ohio-Specific Resources

Since you are interested in the local context, these are tailored to the Buckeye State:

• America 250-Ohio
  Features the "Ohio Air & Space Trail" and monthly themes like Ohio’s Firsts to help you learn about the state's specific contributions to the nation.

• Ohio History Connection
  Provides digital curricula and a project to map the graves of Revolutionary War Veterans across Ohio’s 88 counties.

If you want a single, easy-to-digest starting point, check out the C-SPAN "Journey to American Democracy" video series. It features short, 10-step videos explaining the transition from "subjects" to "citizens." 

To add an event to this page please send the information to: william.mullane@jalsd.org