In July 4, 2026, the United States will undergo its semiquincentennial celebrations, as Americans remember the 250 anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The events will be marked by fireworks and hotdogs, but also moments of historical and political reflection on the legacy of the American Revolution and the founding era. As the White House promotes its âFreedom 250â program spectating the patriotic sentiments of the American people, opponents of the Trump Administration plan a âNo Kingsâ protest as they also seek to appropriate the revolutionary legacy of the period. Still others go so far as to claim the semiquincentennial should not be celebrated at all, that the legacy of the founding is one of colonialism, classism, and slavery. The four short papers bring together themes on the political origins of the American Revolution (Becca Palmer), the intellectual and cultural origins of the Revolution (David Malcolm), the experience of Americans in the early days of independence post-Revolution (Tony Sullivan), and the ways in which Americans today memorialise the founding period (Connie Thomas). These papers seek to strip away the founding era of its historical gloss while simultaneously recognising the significance of the period for understanding the modern United States. The event will be a roundtable, with discussion and conversation between panellists with questions and comments from audience members as we examine the legacy of the founding era for the contemporary United States.
https://www.history.ac.uk/news-events/events/american-founding-250-roundtable
