America 250 Committee

Purpose: To commemorate the 250th Anniversary of the United States of America. Members are encouraged to plan and participate in celebrations and programs that mark significant events during the American Revolution. 

Program: All societies are encouraged to dive into history between March 1, 1776, and June 30, 1777. 1776: 

• June 7, 1776: The Lee Resolution is proposed to the Second Continental Congress 

• June 28, 1776: The British begin bombardment of Fort Sullivan in Charleston harbor. Failing to take the Fort, the British retreated to New York. 

• July 4, 1776: Congress adopts the Declaration of Independence 

• July 8, 1776: The Declaration of Independence is publicly read for the first time in Philadelphia. 

• July 9, 1776: Sons of Liberty topple the statue of King George III in Bowling Green, New York City. 

• August 27, 1776: Battle of Long Island, NY becomes the largest battle of the Revolutionary War.

 • September 19, 1776: The Continental Congress officially names the nation the “United States of America.” 

• September 21, 1776: Nathan Hale is captured by British forces while gathering information for the Continental Army. 

• October 11, 1776: Battle of Valcour Island is fought on Lake Champlain. 

• October 28, 1776: Battle of White Plains, NY. 

• December 25–26, 1776: Washington crosses the Delaware River and defeats Hessian forces at the Battle of Trenton, NJ. 1777: 

• January 3, 1777: American forces defeat the British at the Battle of Princeton, NJ. 

• March 12, 1777: The Continental Congress adopts a flag featuring thirteen stars and thirteen stripes as a naval ensign.

 • April 27, 1777: Battle of Ridgefield, CT. 1

 • May 14, 1777: British General John Burgoyne begins his campaign south from Canada. 

• June 14, 1777: Congress adopts the Stars and Stripes as the official flag of the United States. 

• June 30, 1777: American forces continue defensive preparations against British advances in the northern colonies during the Saratoga campaign. 

Ideas for possible activities: 

1. Attend/organize an event celebrating America 250. 

2. Learn about the adoption of the Stars and Stripes and the history of the American flag. 

3. Recreate one of the battles from 1776 – 1777 to engage your society in an immersive America 250 experience. 

4. Visit in person or virtually historical sites of the American Revolution. 

5. Host/attend the planting of a Liberty Tree or gather at a Liberty Tree planted in your area for a society meeting. 

6. Record volunteer service hours in collaboration with the America 250 Commission’s “America Gives” initiative. 

These are just SOME ideas for possible activities for this contest. We encourage and would like to see you create something new and exciting with your society for your submission. 

▶️Contest: Local society with the best program 

First Place $70 Second Place $50 Third Place $30 Fourth Place $20 Fifth Place $10 ◀️