On July 4, our nation will commemorate and celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. This historic milestone offers a unique opportunity to pause and reflect on our nation’s past, honor the contributions of all Americans, and look ahead toward a future we want to create for the next generation and beyond.
“America’s 250th anniversary is about more than reflecting on our past, it’s about honoring the contributions of individuals who built this country, the innovations that put this country on the map and a man on the moon, and imagining what the next 250 years might look like for our children and the generations to come,” said Rosie Rios, chair of the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission
The people, events, and ideas of the revolutionary era profoundly changed the world. In the 250 years since, we have often struggled to live up to the lofty ideals expressed in our founding documents. This semiquincentennial is a time for Americans to learn about and reflect upon the full sweep of our nation’s past, celebrating examples of liberty, courage, and sacrifice while reckoning with moments of injustice, racism, and violence.
It is important that all Americans of all ages and backgrounds see themselves in history and understand how the diverse people of the past all contributed to the American story of liberty and prosperity.
We invite everyone to join us in commemorating the 250th. Explore our collections of books, movies and more, and attend a program to deepen your appreciation for history, broaden your perspectives on who and what counts in the American story, and remind yourself of our nation’s unique contributions to the world.
Programs
Join our Winthrop Library on July 3 for a Community Celebration and Book Talk.
We will start with story time at 11 a.m. featuring America-themed stories for younger audiences. Then join us at 5 p.m. for a book talk, engaging in themes of democracy, national identity, and challenges and possibilities facing the United States today.
Join us for a virtual conversation with Oregon Humanities exploring what it means for us to be bound to one another.
The opening of the Declaration of Independence gets the fanfare, but the closing clause contains a quiet promise: “We mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.” When we talk about the founding of our nation, we often think of it as a proclamation of individual rights. And yet, buried in that big individualistic origin story, there is a pledge of support, solidarity, and mutual aid.
Enjoy a coloring contest celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States at the Moses Lake Library.
Participants of all ages will take home and color a patriotic and historical-themed coloring sheet and return it to the library. Completed artwork will be displayed in the library, by category.
Books
Online Resources
Kanopy
Celebrate America’s 250th Birthday with Kanopy’s American History collection! These compelling films bring the history of the United States to life, from pivotal moments and cultural movements to personal stories that reflect the country’s evolving identity.
Hoopla
Two hundred and fifty years, countless stories. Celebrate America’s history with this curated collection of ebooks, audiobooks, movies, television and more.
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