This year marks the Semiquincentennial: America's 250th birthday. It is the largest national commemoration in our lifetimes, and it belongs to every American. Across all 50 states, communities are gathering to honor the people, principles, and promises that built this country and to carry them forward.

Patriotism, at its best, is not about division. It is gratitude for the freedoms we inherited, responsibility for the country we share, and hope for the one we leave behind. Campaign to Unite Americans is highlighting America 250 to remind our country that loving America and loving one another go hand in hand, and that unity does not require uniformity.

Why America 250 Matters

A 250th birthday comes once. It is a rare chance to step back from the noise of the moment and remember how improbable, and how worth defending, this experiment in self-government really is. For two and a half centuries, ordinary Americans have expanded freedom, met hard tests, and handed the next generation a freer nation than the one they were given.

The Semiquincentennial invites all of us, regardless of party, background, or belief, to celebrate that inheritance, to teach it to our children, and to recommit to the ideals that made it possible.

The Values That Unite Us

America is strongest when we judge one another by character, integrity, and contribution, not by labels, grievances, or ideology. For 250 years, our nation has been held together by shared principles that belong to all Americans:

• Personal responsibility and self-government
• Equal dignity under the law
• Freedom of conscience, faith, and expression
• Hard work, perseverance, and service
• Respect for one another, even in disagreement

These values transcend politics. As we honor the leadership and sacrifice of those who came before us, we invite Americans to reflect on a simple question: What kind of nation do we want to be at 250? One defined by resentment, or one defined by character.

Salute to America 250

Across the country, a full year of festivities is underway to mark the milestone, beginning on Memorial Day 2025 and continuing through the end of 2026. The effort is a nationwide, public-private partnership known as Freedom 250, engaging every level of government, the private sector, non-profits, educational institutions, and citizens in communities everywhere.

The celebration comes alive over three days, July 3–5, 2026, anchored by a Salute to America 250 Celebration & Fireworks in Washington, D.C. on the Fourth of July. Signature national events and Main Street celebrations bring the anniversary home to towns of every size:

• Freedom Trucks: six mobile museums traveling the country to 1,000 schools, libraries, and public events, telling the story of our nation's founding.
• The Great American State Fair and Sail250: national festivities celebrating every state's heritage and America's maritime history.
• Patriot Games National Competition: a celebration of athletics, service, and the American spirit.
• America's Potluck (July 5, 2026): neighbors in all 50 states and Puerto Rico sharing a communal meal in the spirit of fellowship.