250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence

America’s National Parks: Inspiring a More Perfect Union

The National Park Service joins the nation in the commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026. The aspirational vision in the Declaration defines the ideals that set the United States on a course of continued work toward a more perfect union.

Throughout the commemoration, the National Park Service will proudly serve the American people by embracing our mission to provide opportunities for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. We will inspire a more perfect union by providing opportunities for celebrating, commemorating, and contemplating the meanings of the words in the Declaration and their relevance to our lives today.

Get Involved

The National Park Service and its partners invite all Americans to share their stories, participate in commemoration programs and events, volunteer, and share their hopes and dreams for the most inclusive commemoration in our nation's history.

A woman and two girls hold their hands open above their hands at an mountain overlook.

America's Invitation

The National Park Service and America250 invite you to share your story, history, and hopes and dreams for our country.

A woman in a flat-brimmed tan hat and gray uniform shirt holds an item for four young children to lo

America's Field Trip

America’s Field Trip is a contest that invites students across the country to share their perspectives on what America means to them.

A drawing of an American Revolution solider with the words "I need you to help tell my story."

Volunteer as a Citizen Archivist

Help uncover new stories from the American Revolution by transcribing pension records of America’s first veterans and their widows.

A teacher and six students next to a butterfly sculpture with a yellow school bus in the background.

Teach with Historic Places

Explore educator resources for helping students evaluate the values of the Declaration through a diverse set of historical places.

Telling All Americans' Stories

The National Park Service provides opportunities to discuss and learn from our triumphs and struggles as Americans on our path to realize the more perfect union envisioned in our Constitution. In striving to tell stories of all Americans, the National Park Service is expanding its efforts to fully reflect the diversity of the American population.

7 women and girls in skirts hold baskets in front of a stage at an event.

Who We Are

Discover American stories in all their diversity, from ancient homelands of Native peoples to the homes of Presidents.

A statue in a fountain in front of a white courthouse backed by a large silver arch.

Americans & Government

Explore the ways people, social movements, institutions, and communities have shaped American life throughout our history.

A canon on a grassy overlook with a leafy tree and setting sun.

American Revolution

Discover well-known and surprising stories of places and people that contributed to the birth of a new nation.

A person plays guitar in front of an audience next to two small canvas tents.

Mellon Humanities Fellowship Program

Researching and sharing stories of the many groups and communities who have contributed to the development of a more perfect union.

6 people pose for a photo in front of a colorful wall.

Claiming Freedom

Exploring the meaning of freedom during the Revolutionary Era through research of lived experience of enslaved individuals.

A stone stairway leading to a gate lined by green vines and bushes.

Inclusive Storytelling Program

Researching and sharing stories of people who are not as often recognized as having shaped our history.

Unlocking the Power of Place

The National Park Service is making crucial investments in our nation's most meaningful landscapes. Great American Outdoors Act funds are supporting projects to update Revolutionary era battlefields and other sites related to the commemoration while Inflation Reduction Act funds are supporting preparations for increased use of key sites.

A tall, stone monument with scaffolding at its base.

Bunker Hill Monument Preservation

Preparing Bunker Hill Monument for the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Bunker Hill in 2025.

Four people, including two rangers in uniform, look at plans on a road next to a grassy battlefield.

Saratoga Battlefield Road Revitalization

Revitalizing the visitor experience on the Saratoga Battlefield.

9 people in front of a historic wood barn.

Improvements at Minute Man

Restoring historic structures, monuments, and trails at Minute Man National Historical Park.

A stone building with large picture windows and columns at the entrance.

First Bank Rehabilitation

Restoring a landmark building in Independence National Historical Park for public use.

Community Preservation Grants

The National Park Service offers assistance to communities for the preservation of America's historic places and diverse history. This is guided by the National Historic Preservation Act, which declares that "the spirit and direction of the nation are founded upon and reflected in its historic heritage.” The National Park Service has distributed $30 million in grants through the Semiquincentennial Grant Program for projects in more than 14 states at sites such as Yorktown Battlefield and New Jersey’s Old Barracks military structure.

2 adults and 2 children read a sign in front of cave.

Semiquincentennial Grants

Funding to restore and preserve resources listed on the National Register of Historic Places that commemorate the founding of the nation.

A group of about two dozen people outside an historic white building for its grand opening.

Historic Preservation Grants

Grants for governments and organizations to manage landscapes, traditional cultural practices, and archeological sites.

Last updated: April 15, 2024