In 2026, America will commemorate 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the development of a new country dedicated to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” In the years since, our country has undergone many changes and faced many challenges.

To observe this momentous occasion, the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission was established by Congress (P.L. 114-196) to encourage Americans to remember our past, celebrate the present, and look forward to a promising future. America 250 NC is North Carolina’s commemoration of the 250th anniversary of our state in the development of the United States. The North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources is the statewide entity charged by Governor Cooper with the leadership of the commemoration for North Carolina.

To this end, DNCR is connecting with a variety of local, state, and federal partners to accomplish the goals of this commemoration. Each provides a unique viewpoint and approach to commemorating this anniversary. As we prepare to mark this anniversary, we are focused on lifting the voices (both historical and present) of North Carolinians to present a complete narrative of our state’s role in our country. To this end, we are happy to introduce the America 250 NC planning guide. You will find our guiding themes and goals, suggestions on how you can engage with the anniversary, and additional resources. 

North Carolina will commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Revolution with wide-ranging activities across a multi-year commemoration beginning on April 12, 2024, with a focus on 2026. Additional events will continue through 2033 to reflect our state’s Revolutionary history. Our activities will include educational outreach, online resources related to our Revolutionary history, exhibits across the state, and a wide variety of commemorative events. The activities listed here are subject to change, and additional programs and products may be added as the commemoration grows. The commemoration’s goal is to empower North Carolinians to engage with 250 years of our rich, diverse history.