Fireworks back to Mount Rushmore for 250th birthday in 2026
Fireworks will be revived in 2026 at Mount Rushmore in South Dakota for the July 4th celebration.
Straight Arrow News
- America will celebrate its 250th birthday on July 4th, 2026.
- When Trump took office, he signed an executive order to create a US 250 task force to celebrate the country’s birthday for a year.
- America250 will be held at the Iowa State Fairgrounds on Thursday, July 3rd.
As Americans prepare for the July 4th, 2025 festival, some are already looking for 2026 to celebrate their 250th birthday.
President Donald Trump has said Americans can expect a lot of dignity and circumstances around Semikinkentennial, which starts this July 4th and starts in 2026, and Trump predicts that his celebration under his watch will reach “extraordinary” levels.
Trump is scheduled to visit Iowa on July 3 this year, marking his first visit to the GOP Caucus since celebrating America’s 250th birthday and returning to the White House.
Here’s what you need to know about America250:
When is America250?
The United States celebrates semi-kinkentennials throughout 2026 and will reach its peak on July 4th, 2026.
However, the kickoff for the US 250 will begin on CT at 5pm in 2025 at Iowa State Fairgrounds on Thursday, July 3rd. Trump will make a statement about the initiative from the fairgrounds at 7:30pm. This event is free and RSVP requires you to complete the online form required on the America250 website.
What events make up the US 250?
According to the America250 website, various events across the country make up the America250. Some have already begun, while others are still planned. So far, let’s take a look at what we can expect so far.
- American innovation: A travel technology exposition that marks the country’s biggest innovation.
- America’s Waves: An initiative to create an event where Americans can gather and wave the American flag.
- Time capsule: A collaboration between all 50 states and the Columbia Special District to collect items from time capsules to be buried in Philadelphia on July 4, 2026.
- American Field Trip: A contest for students from 3rd to 12th grade or a contest for submitting writing and artwork in response to the prompt “What does America mean to you?” (Available for the fall academic year 2025-2026).
- Our American Stories: Walmart-funded oral and visual history efforts to gather stories from everyday Americans (submitting candidates to interview on the America250 website).
- July 4, 2026 Activation: National celebration in Washington, DC
How does America250 celebrate in your state?
According to the America250 website, all states, US territories, and DC have “committees” that “plan, coordinate and support commemorative activities.” America250 will add links to each state’s plans if the website is available. As of July 2nd, links were available in all states except Florida, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota and Oklahoma.
How old is America?
The Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence 249 years ago on July 4, 1776.
Who is behind the US 250?
In January, Trump signed an executive order that created Task Force 250.
As outlined in the Order, Task Force 250 is responsible for planning and carrying out the “Extraordinary Celebration of the 250th Anniversary of America’s Independence” on July 4, 2026. The task force through the nonprofit 250 will oversee the creation of the National Garden of American Heroes, originally proposed by the president, which was set for 2020, in 2020.
The America250 website lists more than 12 corporate sponsors, including Amazon, Coca Cola, and Walmart.
Contribution: USA Today Staff
Gretacross is a national trend reporter for USA Today. Story ideas? Please email her gcross@usatoday.com.
