250 Seconds
There are many ways to celebrate and commemorate the 250 th anniversary of the Declaration
of Independence and the birth of the United States and their impact on our lives and those who
came before us. They will continue to be important for those who come after us.
250 Seconds is an easy and efficient way to get your organization to encourage learning as
well as celebrating. Whether you own a business, preside over a civic organization, attend a PTA
meeting, sit on a city council, or participate in any other type of organization that holds meetings,
simply decide to include 250 Seconds.
250 Seconds is simply a commitment to set aside four minutes and ten seconds at the
opening or closing your meetings to share an inspirational story, focus on an historical event, review
a constitutional principle, or share insights into our foundational documents and principles.
You can write your own text, enlist a volunteer to draft 250 Seconds, or select from
selections on the USA250-OC website. Commit to 250 Seconds for each meeting from July 4, 2025
to July 4, 2026, the 250 th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Let us know how you are
helping to promote civic literacy in Orange County. We will include it on the USA250-OC website.
Essays
The Man Who Could Never Die in Battle
On July 4, 1827, a new two-act national drama premiered at the Chestnut Street Theater in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Written by George Washington Parke Custis, it was based on the story of his grandfather’s (through marriage) encounter with indigenous tribal...
Did George Washington Really Start a World War?
On May 28, 1754, George Washington led a band of Virginia recruits and Native American warriors led by the Mingo sachem Tanaghrisson in a surprise attack on French troops. Little did he realize that the incident would spark a world war involving Great Britain,...
When Myth Becomes GOBBLE-dygook
It was well-known that Benjamin Franklin had a near-death experience – with a turkey! Among Franklin’s many experiments with electricity was his 1750 attempt to demonstrate a procedure for electrocuting a turkey, believing that killing a turkey in this manner,...
A French Revolutionary Travelogue
On July 11, 1780, three officers of the French Army arrived in Newport, Rhode Island. Their leader was Jean-Baptiste Donatien, Compte de Rochambeau, who would command 5,500 French soldiers under the leadership of General George Washington and participate in...
Artistic License with America’s Greatest Moment? Yikes!
One of the most recognized, iconic paintings of the American founding is prominently displayed in the rotunda of the United States Capitol. Simply and appropriately called Declaration of Independence, it is one of eight oil-on-canvas paintings measuring 12 by 18...
“The British are Coming!” Really?
For more than a hundred fifty years, school children have been introduced to birth of the United States by the thrilling verses penned by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow: “Listen my children and you shall here of the midnight ride of Paul Revere. On the eighteenth of...
The American Flag – Decades in the Making?
Meeting in the Pennsylvania State House on June 14, 1775, just two months after the battles of Lexington and Concord, the Second Continental Congress voted to create a Continental Army to coordinate the military response of thirteen British colonies to...
Who Was America’s REAL First Founding Father?
George Washington is often called the “Father of our country.” James Madison earned the title of “Father of the Constitution.” But is there such a person as the “First Founder?” Is there someone who could actually deserve to be called the “First Founder”...
Do Eight-Hundred-Year-Old Documents Still Matter?
One of our social media posts and 250 Seconds highlighted the incredible historic parallels between the Barons revolt against King John in 1215 which resulted in the Magna Carta and the rebellion against King George III in 1776 which culminated in the Declaration...
Coincidence or Divine Providence? You Decide
If you were to type “probabilities of coincidences” in your search engine on your computer and sift through more than twenty pages of links to stories about “coincidences,” you won’t find a quick and clear definition. The subject lines included titles such as...
Be Part of the Celebration
We encourage organizations, businesses, families, and individuals to join us in this historic celebration.
Together, we can honor our past, understand our present, and shape our future
Your financial support will enable us to develop and host educational programs, community events, and much more.
Every contribution helps us bring this celebration to life and reach more people.
