The 4th of July weekend is America’s yearly celebration of independence. This year, we have something else to celebrate, the semiquincentennial, 250 years of independence.
When you think about it, 250 years is really something to
celebrate. There’s no doubt we are celebrating America’s story, but America’s
story is also our family’s story. As family historians, this is a perfect occasion
to consider how America250 relates to our family history.
Why not take this opportunity to write up a narrative of your
family history? Whether it’s writing about your ancestors’ immigration stories,
their experiences in the Revolutionary War, or even family celebrations in 1976
during the bicentennial, this 4th of July is a good time to get that
information written and shared with family.
As you consider ways to celebrate America250, consider the
following three ideas.
1. Share Your Memories. Remember the bicentennial? Where were you in 1976? If you remember the bicentennial, now’s the time to share your memories and photos with your family. If you weren’t around in 1976, it’s a good time to ask your family about their memories of the celebration. Even if you don’t remember the bicentennial, there are collections online that can help you create writing prompts or interview questions to ask older family members. You can read more about bicentennial activities on websites such as The Story of the 1975-1976 American Freedom Train, American Archive of Public Broadcasting’s The Bicentennial Collection, and The Smithsonian’s 1976 Bicentennial of American Independence.
2. Cook
Up Some History. Hot dogs and hamburgers are standard fare on the 4th but
consider this an opportunity to cook up some history for America250. Historical
digitized cookbooks provide some ideas about things to cook. The first cookbook
by an American for Americans was authored by Amelia Simmons and is titled American
cookery, or The art of dressing viands, fish, poultry, and vegetables, and the
best modes of making pastes, puffs, pies, tarts, puddings, custards, and
preserves, and all kinds of cakes, from the imperial plum to plain cake… You
can find a digitized copy at Michigan
State University’s Feeding America collection . Other digitized historical
American cookbooks can be found at Internet Archives’ Cookbooks and Home Economics
digital collection.
3. Family
History is America’s Story. Even though the 4th of July will be over soon, don’t
let that stop you from telling your uniquely American story. NGS has published
a tool kit guide with resources to tell that story. Focusing on what genealogy
societies and other organizations can do in 2026, this FREE PDF points to
practical, easy ways to increase outreach, engage a wide range of people, and
work with partners to grow the genealogy and family history community. It
includes:
·
An introduction to America250,
·
Organizations for resources, information, and
partnerships,
·
Tips and suggestions to support success,
·
Ideas for activities and events, and more.
Download this toolkit from
the NGS website. NGS
OrgConnects! on Outreach and Partnerships for America at 250 and Beyond provides
more ideas.