America 250: Let the Festivities Begin!

A multitude of state commemorative events - Get Ready and Participate!

I imagine as a Family Historian, you are probably well aware that the United States is about to celebrate a big birthday. Seems like we’ve done this before… remember?

In case it has faded from your memory banks, the BIG plan for the Bicentennial, America’s 200th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, started in July 1966. Originally designed as a single city exposition in either Philadelphia or Boston, it was tumultuously debated for 6 1/2 years before dissolving into locally sponsored events nationwide. The official events kicked off on April 1, 1975 and ‘ended’ on July 4, 1776, although of course, we continued to commemorate other “Revolution” events well past July 4. Technically, we ‘should’ continue to commemorate events that occurred up until September 3, 1783, when the Treaty of Paris formally ended the war and the U.S. was recognized as an independent nation.

I’m sure you all remember where you were and what you did during the 200th celebration of the mid-to-late 1970s, right? Something else happened in that time-frame, the iconic book (and movie) “Roots” exploded into American culture. Some think the combination of the release and the patriotism of the American Bicentennial celebration caused the “great launch” of genealogy interest in the United States. They also *sparked* launch or renewal of many county genealogy and historical societies and the massive publication of county histories nationwide. May I say as a librarian, I LOVE those county history books! The rash of ‘fake surname’ books, not so much…

But what about today? We are about to embark upon the America 250 anniversary.

Since all Americans like a good party, I guess we’ll celebrate this thing from now until July 4, 2026, right? Or maybe even longer!

Starting out this weekend, April 18-19, there are celebrations planned all over the nation. WHAT, you didn’t here about it yet? You are invited to celebrate! ← Click

This Friday night/Saturday morning marks Paul Revere’s Ride to Revolution.

Since the Famous Ride occurred in Boston, check out all these events and history facts: America 250 Boston's Paul Revere's Ride April 19-20

Personally, since I was only 9 years old at the last Celebrate America party, all I really remember is collecting the cool bicentennial quarters… So, I’m going to try to participate more this go-round. Being from Texas, we don’t appear to be having many events (yet), perhaps that will change as the year goes by. The good news is, I can use other state’s activity ideas. Here’s that link: American250 State Partnership Sites

By the way, I realized that I thought I knew every thing about the famous ride, but pondering it today, I had questions that needed answers. Who put the lights up? Did he make it where ever he was going? Where was he going? What time did he get back home? What prompted him to do this, was he sent? When was that poem written and why? What else did Paul Revere do in the Revolution? Did any of my ancestors hear or read about this in a paper shortly after? Oh, no, off to read about it in the historic newspapers myself!! So much to learn. I love history!

Click here for the Story

Click here to read the account his own words.

Click here to read the poem in book form.

Click here to watch/listen to the poem

Will you join me in putting out some lights this Friday?

Or celebrate our Freedom in another way?

Ride a horse? Put up a flag? Drink a pint of ale? Bake some cookies to share with a neighbor? Search a database for your patriot? Write up your memories of the 1976 celebration? Tell your favorite little person about Paul Revere?

Tell me in the comments what you plan to do, come back later and tell what actually happened, and maybe write us a poem about your patriotic act!