Partner Resources
On July 4, 2026, America will celebrate its semiquincentennial – the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders appointed the Arkansas 250 Commission, a 14-person commission to help coordinate Arkansas’ participation in this momentous occasion.
The commission is working with local community leaders to provide direction and assistance in creating their own community semiquincentennial celebrations.
How can your community participate?
We want to encourage Arkansas communities to create unique and creative ways to commemorate America’s 250th anniversary while honoring Arkansas’ own history and beauty and to share those events both statewide and nationally. There are many ways your communities can participate, both collectively and educationally. This includes hosting events like picnics, baseball games, church gatherings, and parades.
You can also work with your local schools to develop educational programs that not only focus on America’s 250th anniversary but also on Arkansas history and the role it’s played nationally. Plays, essay contests, and exhibits are great ways for students to become involved.
America 250, the national initiative commemorating the anniversary, is emphasizing philanthropy and giving back as part of the celebration. You can create volunteer opportunities that allow community members to give back through initiatives like neighborhood clean up campaigns and beautifying downtown areas.
Be sure to utilize local media (television, print, and radio) and social media to promote and share your community events and programs. When posting on social media about your community’s events, use the hashtags #arkansas250 and #america250 on each post. Hashtags help categorize and track content on social media, making it easier for others to search for and locate semiquincentennial community events and programs.