By Justin Kiczek

President

In July 1776, with British troops amassing in New York and his fellow patriots poised to declare independence, George Washington acknowledged the very real and fatal possibility of failure: “The fate of unborn millions will now depend, under God, on the courage and conduct of this army … We have, therefore, to resolve to conquer or die.” And yet, later that year, the colonists prevailed in New Jersey and, by Christmas, the prospect of independence no longer seemed far-fetched.

In 1876, as the country was celebrating its 100th year, it found itself mired in division, as a disputed Presidential election remained uncertain for months and the trauma of the Civil War still seared the collective memory. And yet, in the very same year, new connections arose for Americans: Alexander Bell placed the first telephone call; railroads continued to connect distant regions; and a months-long centennial exhibition brought Americans to Philadelphia to celebrate the still early republic.

In 1976, with two hundred years of history behind it, the country was again questioning whether it would be celebrating further milestones. Watergate had revealed the heights of corruption while Vietnam had revealed the folly of American hubris and the limits of its power. And yet, that summer, tall ships sailed into the harbors of New York and Boston in celebration of the bicentennial, and Americans gathered all across the country to celebrate.

In each of these eras, the American experiment appeared to be cracking, fraught with threats at both home and abroad. We can expect 2026, the nation’s 250th anniversary, to feel just as fraught. In fact, the challenges facing our democracy right now seem particularly pronounced, considering polarization, governmental gridlock, the introduction of artificial intelligence, and a growing disenchantment with liberal democracy worldwide.

It is easy to understand why some may scoff at the idea of any sort of 250th anniversary celebration as hokey at best and jingoistic at worst. Yet we here at the F. M. Kirby Foundation are approaching this from a different perspective. We believe that America250 presents a generational opportunity to renew commitments to civic engagement, bridge divides between a polarized people, and foster, in the words of Danielle Allen, a “reflective patriotism” in young and old alike.

As we approach the occasion in the year 2026, we developed principles to guide our work and hopefully inspire others as well:

• National occasion, local impact: While we are funding a handful of more national projects, we believe that our identities, as Americans, are most strongly shaped by our local communities and institutions. Investments in local historic infrastructure and organizations help develop a sense of belonging and a love of place, which can foster, in turn, a stronger sense of civic responsibility. With this in mind, the Kirby Foundation has been working to help local history organizations be “visitor-ready” for 2026, while also building up their capacity for the years that follow as well.

• Reflect on a time span, not a snapshot: When we celebrate a marriage anniversary, we are giving witness to the full life of the marriage, not a single date or year. An anniversary is a time to reflect on the high and lows of the entire relationship. Likewise, with America250. While there will be plenty of colonial costumes and reenactments, America250 also offers an opportunity to engage — authentically, truthfully, holistically — with 250 years of history. With such an expansive retrospective of the American project, we allow both Mayflower descendants and the newest Americans to see themselves in this tapestry.

• Foster Dialogue and Civics Spaces: The lack of civil discourse has been well documented, accelerated by the dominance of social media. Part and parcel with this is a decline in civic spaces — sometimes known as “third places” — where we encounter people different from us. With higher reported loneliness and higher reported distrust, the occasion of America250 could not come at a more opportune time. The observation of 250 years of American self-government affords us the opportunity to engage with one another and explore key questions. What does it mean to be an American? Is it possible to live out the creed of e pluribus unum? How can we reach a little further to achieve the ideas of the Declaration of Independence and a more perfect union? These are big questions that are best explored not on social media and not at the bully pulpit, but in civic spaces like libraries, town halls, civic associations, and the like.

• Look Backward to Look Forward: If America250 is only about looking backward, it is nothing but an exercise in nostalgia. Consider that July 4, 1776, marks not a big battle or the transfer of power or the birth of a monarch. It is the date of a letter that includes, among its complaints, a distillation of Enlightenment ideas of liberty, autonomy, equality, and justice. While its principal author, Thomas Jefferson, violated these very ideals in his personal life, they continue to echo across history as calls for self-government and freedom. As such, it is fitting that, on the 250th anniversary of that letter, we similarly seek a new era of democratic flourishing. In other words, considering America’s “birthday” is tied to a document of ideas, we hope that a look back at those ideas — and their journey across 250 years — will result in a new commitment to their furtherance and fulfillment.

We encourage citizens young and old to seek out opportunities in the next year to engage more deeply in American history and the practice of democracy and American. Tie your New Year’s resolution to being a better citizen. Start a Declaration book club. Attend more town halls and board of education meetings. Visit your local historical organization and learn more about your home.

We also call on our partners in the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors to consider 2026 and the years that follow a time to invest your time, talent, and treasure. Engage with iCivics to see how your state ranks for its civic literacy. For our New Jersey friends, consider joining the CivicsNJ Coalition. Connect with your state’s America250 commission. Invest in local history preservation and education.

As Washington saw his nation’s future hang in the balance, may we also see this as critical inflection point that will lead us to more fully realize the vision Washington and others established and millions have fought for.