Orange County Celebrates 250 Years of Freedom
Join Orange County in honoring our past, celebrating our present, and shaping our future —
together. July 4, 2026 marks a once-in-a-generation milestone.
Get Involved
Ways to Mark This Historic Year
From four-minute history moments to planting a Liberty Tree, there are dozens of ways for your family, business, or organization to participate in America’s 250th celebration right here in Orange County.
OC Celebrates 250 Years of America
July 4, 2026 marks a once-in-a-generation milestone — the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Here are meaningful, easy and fun ways for you, your family, your workplace and your community to celebrate, learn and give back.
250 Seconds
Set aside 250 seconds (four minutes and ten seconds) at the start of each meeting to share a historical person or event, an inspirational story, or insights into our founding principles. Rotate the honor among participants or enlist volunteers.
Plant a Liberty Tree
If possible, plant a Liberty Tree with a commemorative plaque. The original was an old oak on the Boston green — a rallying point for Patriots as early as 1765 and an enduring symbol of patriotism.
Create a Time Capsule
Design a capsule reflecting present-day Orange County, the nation and your business, community or family. Include the items and issues of our time, and set an opening date — say, fifty years from now. (Just remember where you put it!)
Join the "Spirit of America"
Initiated by Hawaii 250, the Declaration of Independence will be read aloud across the country 250 years after its first public reading. Gather your family, co-workers or neighbors at 3:00 p.m. Pacific and read our nation's "birth certificate" together.
Display Founding Documents
Display copies of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights in your home, office or city hall — plus the Magna Carta and Emancipation Proclamation. Order various sizes from the National Archives and other vendors.
Light to Unite
Promoted by the National Flag Foundation, light up in red, white and blue on the evening of July 4, 2026. Public and private buildings alike can light up and display the flag.
Participate in "America's Potluck"
Initiated by Utah250, gather neighbors, communities and companies on July 5, 2026 to share a meal and build belonging and connection — in the tradition of Sunday lunches and potluck dinners.
Display an America 250 Flag
Official America 250 flags can be obtained from vendors on the America 250 website. Include them in Honor and Color Guards, and fly them on city, county, business and home flagpoles.
Join Community Independence Day Events
Take part as an organization in local Independence Day events — a parade, community picnic, fireworks or more. This July 4th is a once-in-a-generation celebration. Show up in the red, white and blue!
Form a Book Reading Club
Organize a book club for members and families and meet to discuss the readings, lessons learned and differing views. For a shorter three-session program on the Declaration and Thomas Jefferson, try Monticello's "Declaration Book Club."
Distribute Pocket Constitutions
Order pocket copies of the Declaration, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights — personalized with your organization's name — and give them to family, friends and co-workers. Carry them, read them, and get to know your rights and responsibilities.
Organize "Lunch and Learn" Sessions
Invite guest speakers to informal lunch sessions to inform, educate and inspire. Watch online tours of historic places, read and discuss founding documents, or work through online lessons together.
Take Video Tours of Our History
Explore historic sites, museums, webinars and podcasts from your computer or phone. Start with the White House Task Force's "Salute to America," or take a virtual tour of the National Mall's memorials.
Pray for Your Country
If you are a person of faith, pray for those in authority and for your fellow citizens — and not just the ones you agree with. Silently or aloud, alone or in a group, every prayer counts.
Spend Time Learning Online
An abundance of resources about our country's history, founding principles and the people who came before us are online. The USA250-OC website links you directly to many of them, saving you time in your search.
Create a Freedom Wall
Set up a "Freedom Wall" where people can post responses to prompts like "What freedom means to me" or "What it means to be an American." Refresh the themes regularly, connect over the answers, and share them on social media.
Arrange Outings to Historic Places
Spend a few days with family or friends learning about our history and our community. Some great places to start, right here in Southern California:
Thank Our Armed Forces
Many service members will be overseas next July 4. Help them celebrate with letters and patriotic packages. The Continental Army was created on June 14, 1776 under General George Washington — our service men and women still safeguard our liberties today.
Be Informed, Register & Vote
Register to vote, study the issues and learn about the candidates. Vote and encourage others to do the same. Attend a town hall, drop in on a city council meeting — and participate.
How About Just Having Fun?
There are countless patriotic and just-for-fun ways to celebrate at home, at work and anywhere:
- Host red-white-and-blue dress-up days and a "best patriotic dress" contest with fun prizes.
- Hold a patriotic bake-off — decorate cakes and cookies, judge the winners, eat the treats!
- Make Thomas Jefferson's favorite ice cream.
- Make patriotic wreaths for home or headquarters.
- Organize an American history trivia night.
- Take the U.S. citizenship test — think you know your history?
- Write a patriotic poem or song and share it with others.
Got Kids? America's Field Trip Contest
A nationwide contest for students in grades 3–12: submit writing or artwork answering "What does America mean to you?" for the chance at an unforgettable field trip or a cash prize. Contest ends 5:00 p.m. Pacific, March 30, 2026.
Our American Story
A year-long storytelling project to collect and preserve the nation's stories. Nominate a living person — a friend, family member, neighbor or community leader — whose story should be shared. A portion will be preserved at the Library of Congress.
Spend Time with the Founders
Want to hear Washington, Jefferson, Abigail Adams, Benjamin Franklin and other Founders in their own words? Thousands of their letters and documents are online. History comes alive when you read the words of those who made it.
My Impact Challenge
Sponsored by the Bill of Rights Institute, students ages 13–19 can showcase a community project — with an essay, a project report and visual documentation — for a cash prize of up to $10,000.
America Gives
Be part of the largest volunteer effort in American history. America 250 is logging volunteer hours and donating $1,000,000 in 2026 through the America Gives Sweepstakes — you could be one of 250 winners who choose where the donations go.
Play America's 100 Docs
Which of America's historical documents matters most — the Declaration, the Constitution, the Emancipation Proclamation? Vote on your top documents across eight eras, earn badges and help decide the America's 100 Docs finalists.
Create Your Own Founders Museum
One of the best ways to study our history with family, friends and colleagues is to build your own Founders Museum. Instructions and resources are ready and waiting.
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.
