In a few short years, Americans will come together for the 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding. The commemoration provides us with an unparalleled opportunity to celebrate the democratic ideals enshrined in the Declaration of Independence – principles that continue to guide us as a country and inspire people throughout the world.

Ten years before America’s 250th anniversary in 2026, Congress unanimously passed the United States Semiquincentennial Commission Act of 2016, signed as Public Law 114-196 on July 22, 2016. 

In May 2018, the American Battlefield Trust was chosen by the Department of the Interior to serve as the official nonprofit partner, or administrative secretariat, of the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission. The Trust and the Commission look forward to engaging the nation – and the world – in America’s Semiquincentennial and leaving a lasting legacy. Join us on a journey 250 years in the making.

U.S. Semiquincentennial Commissioners

United States Senators 

The Hon. Bob Casey, Pennsylvania 
The Hon. Tom Cotton, Arkansas 
The Hon. Jeanne Shaheen, New Hampshire 
The Hon. Pat Toomey, Pennsylvania 

United States Representatives 

The Hon. Robert Aderholt, Alabama (4th District)
The Hon. Dwight Evans, Pennsylvania (3rd District)
The Hon. George Holding, North Carolina (2nd District)
The Hon. Bonnie Waston Coleman, New Jersey (12th District)

Private Citizens 

Robert Brady, Pennsylvania
David L. Cohen, Pennsylvania
Val Crofts, Wisconsin
Daniel M. DiLella, Pennsylvania, Chairman
Cathy Gillespie, Virginia
Noah Griffin, California
Amy Gutmann, Ph.D., Pennsylvania
Andrew Hohns, Ph.D., Pennsylvania 
Jim Koch, Massachusetts 
Lucas Morel, Ph.D., Virginia
Wilfred M. McClay, Ph.D., Oklahoma
Rosie Rios, California
James L. Swanson, Washington, D.C.
Richard Trumka, Maryland
Tom Walker, Alabama
Lynn Forney Young, Texas

Ex Officio Members 

Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo
Attorney General William P. Barr
Secretary of Defense Mark Esper
Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos
Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden, PhD
Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution Lonnie Bunch III
Archivist of the United States David Ferriero
Presiding Officer, Federal Council on the Arts and the Humanities

Commission Leadership

Daniel M. DiLella, Chairman
Tom Walker, Vice Chairman
Rosie Rios, Treasurer
Lynn Forney Young, Secretary
Frank Giordano, Executive Director

American Battlefield Trust Contacts

Jim Campi
Chief Policy and Communications Officer
American Battlefield Trust
Phone: 202-367-1861 x7205
Email: jcampi@battlefields.org

We want to hear from you! 

Please share your thoughts and comments by emailing America250@battlefields.org