Resources
Access materials, references, and other resources to help plan your own commemorative events and programs in your community.
Illinois America 250 Commission Press Announcement
Source: Illinois DNR
The State of Illinois announced the launch of the IL America 250 Commission on January 17, 2025 to launch the countdown to July 4, 2026. Speakers in order from first to last: 1. State Senator Doris Turner 2. Gabrielle Lyon (speaks at the end as well) 3. Becky Locker 4. Kayla Pilgrim 5. Dick Simpson
Illinois America 250 Commemorations Toolkit
The toolkit connects civic and community leaders, businesses and other organizations to the Illinois America 250 Commission’s themes and vision, as well as recommendations and inspiration for how your community can commemorate the 250th.
Making History at 250
A Field Guide for the Semiquincentennial
The American Association for State and Local History and the National Endowment for the Humanities have developed a field guide for the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, including a set of suggested themes: Unfinished Revolutions, Power of Place, We the People, American Experiment, Doing History that align well with the purpose of the Illinois Commission
America’s Field Trip
Source: America 250
America’s Field Trip is a contest that invites students across the country in grades 3–12 to be part of America’s 250th anniversary by sharing their perspectives on what America means to them — with the opportunity to earn an unforgettable field trip experience at some of the nation’s most iconic historic and cultural landmarks.
Students are asked to submit writing or original artwork in response to the contest’s prompt: “What does America mean to you?”
Submissions will be accepted until Wednesday, April 16, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. ET.
State Policy Menu: A Guide to Strengthening Civics Education
Source: CivxNow
CivxNow is the nation’s largest cross-partisan coalition working to prioritize civic education in order to sustain and strengthen constitutional democracy in the United States. This includes building a shared commitment to ensure that all young people are prepared to assume their rights and responsibilities to participate in civic life.