President Donald Trump’s signing of executive orders continues at a rapid pace. Among Wednesday’s offerings was an EO establishing a “White House Task Force on Celebrating America’s 250th Birthday.”
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, and in anticipation of the 250th anniversary of American Independence on July 4, 2026, it is hereby ordered:
Section 1. Purpose. It is the policy of the United States, and a purpose of this order, to provide a grand celebration worthy of the momentous occasion of the 250th anniversary of American Independence on July 4, 2026. It is also the purpose of this order to take other actions to honor the history of our great Nation.
At the 2023, Iowa caucuses, Trump was already ahead of the curve. Before an Iowa State Fair townhall, Trump announced his “Salute to America 250” proposal: a “One-Year Celebration of 250 Years of American Independence” that would be held at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. After Trump became the Republican nominee, he re-upped that proposal.
#AGENDA47: President Trump Announced “Salute To America 250” – A One-Year Celebration of 250 Years of American Independence at the Iowa State Fairgroundspic.twitter.com/pUwnKit3gV
— Team Trump (Text TRUMP to 88022) (@TeamTrump) July 4, 2024
Now it’s official. Trump is the President of the United States and will be the sitting president for America’s 250th birthday. This is a cause for celebration on so many levels. With the resounding results of the election, and the ushering in of what Trump has termed, “America’s Golden Age,” Americans are thankful that this will indeed be a celebration of America and its founding, rather than a marker of America’s demise.
The best thing about the election is now we know that America will definitely have a kick-ass 250th birthday party on July 4, 2026!
I was dreading some lugubrious commemoration of evil America presided over by Nikole Hannah-Jones with whiny speeches by Ta-Nehisi Coates.…
— Seth Barron (@SethBarronNYC) November 6, 2024
The best thing about the election is now we know that America will definitely have a kick-ass 250th birthday party on July 4, 2026!
I was dreading some lugubrious commemoration of evil America presided over by Nikole Hannah-Jones with whiny speeches by Ta-Nehisi Coates.
Instead we will have a two-week celebration with fireworks and nonstop Lee Greenwood music, etc. I honestly can’t wait.
Trump had even more forethought to appoint Dr. Monica Crowley as, among her many titles, Chief of Protocol—the administrative representative for major U.S. events, including America’s 250th birthday.
Epic.
I am honored to nominate Monica Elizabeth Crowley, Ph.D. to serve as Ambassador, Assistant Secretary of State, and Chief of Protocol of the United States of America. Monica will be the Administration Representative for major U.S. hosted events, including America’s 250th Birthday…
— Donald J. Trump Posts From His Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) December 5, 2024
I am honored to nominate Monica Elizabeth Crowley, Ph.D. to serve as Ambassador, Assistant Secretary of State, and Chief of Protocol of the United States of America. Monica will be the Administration Representative for major U.S. hosted events, including America’s 250th Birthday in 2026, the FIFA World Cup in 2026, and the Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028.
During my First Term, Monica did an incredible job as Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Public Affairs. For her exceptional service, she received the Alexander Hamilton Award, the highest honor bestowed by the Department. Monica is a New York Times bestselling author, and has been a popular anchor, and political and foreign affairs analyst, for the Fox News Channel and Fox Business Network, among others. A graduate of Colgate University, she holds two Master’s degrees, and a Doctorate in International Relations, from Columbia University.
She will be an extraordinary Representative of our Country. Congratulations Monica!
But Trump is not the only one making plans. Washington, D.C. museums already have their ducks in a row for a year-long series of celebrations.
America is on the cusp of its 250th birthday, and party planning is well underway. If you already have a lot on your calendar next year, don’t worry, there are plenty of chances to celebrate on the National Mall in D.C.
“We will, by far, have the best celebration of the 250th in America,” said Elliott Ferguson, who leads Destination D.C. “And we’re excited about that.”
Naturally, the July Fourth celebration will include a fireworks show as big as D.C. has ever seen. But events and exhibitions will be prominent up and down the National Mall in the weeks and months before and afterward.
The National Archives will be adding the Emancipation Proclamation and the 19th Amendment to what are known as the “Charters of Freedom,” where documents such as the Declaration of Independence are already on display. Changes like that haven’t happened in decades.
“Both of these documents are milestone documents that mark the beginning of the fulfillment of the principles contained in the Declaration of Independence,” said Colleen Shogan, the archivist of the United States. “With our existing charters that are already here, they help to tell a more complete history of the United States of America.”
The National Archives will also be hosting other events and exhibitions throughout the year on top of that, with programing aimed at people of all ages throughout 2026.
According to the EO, “Task Force 250” will have President Trump and Vice President JD Vance as the chairman and vice chairman of the committee. The game plan involves coordination with all the executive agencies to spearhead, organize, and execute the biggest and most “extraordinary” celebration of the 250th year of America’s Independence in partnership with the United States Semiquincentennial Commission.
Donald Trump just announced a 250th birthday party for America! We’re about to party like it’s 1776!! 🔥 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 🎆
— Jessica 🇺🇸 (@RealJessica05) November 7, 2024
And Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) has spearheaded a bill to create a time capsule for the celebration.
I’m proud to share that my bill to create a time capsule for America’s 250th birthday passed the House earlier today.
The time capsule will be buried on the west lawn of the Capitol in 2026, and stay buried until 2276 when, God willing, America celebrates her 500th birthday. https://t.co/47CHFGuErQ
— Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (@RepBonnie) December 16, 2024
I was 10 years old when America celebrated its 200th Birthday, and I remember the wonder, the excitement, and, of course, the celebrations. I think I even had my own 1776-1976 gear in order to be a part of the fashion. Now, 49 years later, I get to celebrate this as an adult, and the excitement is even more palpable, and the wonder still exists. What a time to be alive.
