We the people of the United States have come together in 2026 to commemorate and reflect on 250 years of American history. As we examine the legacy and impact of the 250th anniversary of the United States of America’s founding, educators are presented with a unique opportunity to engage their students not only as scholars, but as citizens and change-makers both and in and out of the classroom.
There are myriad opportunities to bring the 250th commemoration to life for your students, but narrowing down the right places to find resources can be daunting. We’ve put together this curated guide to commemorate America’s 250th anniversary in your classroom. Read on for the best places to find local events, peruse educational resources, and explore unique opportunities.
Bringing the Commemoration into the Classroom—and Beyond!
A great place to dip your toes into the U.S. Semiquincentennial pond is with the America 250- Ohio Commission. The Commission exists to help the state prepare for and commemorate America’s 250th anniversary. Their website has a wealth of resources and information, from blogs highlighting some of the history that makes our state unique, to 17 exciting programs, an extensive calendar of events across the state and more.
Check out lessons and resources, like the Ohio & the Revolution Webinar Series and the Honoring Ohio’s First Veterans Lesson Plan from the Next Gen Citizens program. Bring lesser-known Ohio history into your classroom with the Under-Told Stories program, which highlights Ohio’s shared history through differing experiences. Looking to take students’ learning beyond the classroom? Keep an eye on the America 250- Ohio Commission’s Event Calendar for all the latest programs, special events and opportunities, including many geared towards children.
Monthly Themes
Each month, Ohio will celebrate and commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States by exploring different themes that reflect Ohio’s unique impact in history. Consider using these themes as a springboard for your activities and lessons. For example, this October’s theme “Ohio Grows: Farms & Food” presents learning opportunities for a variety of grade levels. In K-3 classrooms, consider what students can learn about community, connection, and daily life from the founding and popularity of 4H programs in Ohio. 4th grade, 8th grade and American history classes might explore how Ohio’s agricultural history reflects broader topics of settlement and westward expansion. Pair your exploration with Ohio History Connection resources, like our lesson on Conservation in the First World War, or our 4-part lesson series on Victory Gardens.
This April, dive into Ohio’s transportation history. After a well-deserved summer break, kick off the school year by jumping into Ohio’s sports legacy, past and present, this September. No matter which monthly theme you choose, you can browse special events and resources to bring the theme to life for your students.
Additional Resources
Bring primary and secondary sources from 250 years of American history into your lessons with Ohio Memory, a free digital library with over 1,600,000 digital images spanning from the Paleoindian Period to the present day. Search for sources related to hundreds of topics, including the American Revolutionary War (pro tip: check out our Ohio Memory Advanced Search Guide and video to assist with your search). Armed with your sources, check out the Smithsonian National Museum of American History’s Engaging Students with Primary Sources guide for classroom-ready primary sources activities.
Looking for 250th anniversary history beyond Ohio’s borders? All 50 states and territories have America 250 Commissions, and many feature educational resources on their websites. Our colleagues in Kentucky and New York have put together a robust collection of resources for educators. You can access the full list of State and Territory Commissions here.
Blog Image Citation: America 250-Ohio Commission. American 250-Ohio. http://america250-ohio.org/about/#about.
