President Trump has created Freedom 250 to help organize events for the yearlong celebration of the anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Freedom 250, a public-private partnership, will work with state and local governments, companies and organizations across the country, producing national programs, storytelling, services and landmark celebrations.
“We will renew the patriotism, pride and pioneering spirit of America and lay the groundwork for the next 250 years of independence and freedom,” Mr. Trump said in a video announcement. “This will be a time like you’ve never had in your lives.”
Keith Krach, the former undersecretary of state under the first Trump administration and CEO of Freedom 250, praised the president for “the opportunity to execute his vision for Freedom 250.”
“By working alongside states, businesses, and organizations across the country, Freedom 250 will reignite the pioneering spirit that defines America to strengthen the foundation for the next 250 years of independence, opportunity, and freedom,” he said in a press release.
The organization’s mission is to “showcase America at its best — courageous, generous, innovative, beautiful, and free — by mobilizing partners and communities in all 50 states and around the world.”
In his announcement, the president listed numerous celebrations planned in the next few weeks, including illuminating the Washington Monument, the “Great American State Fair” and “The Patriot Games.”
“Frankly, you’ll never see anything like it, and you’ll never see anything like it again,” Mr. Trump said.
The president’s Task Force 250 was established by an executive order in January to orchestrate nationwide festivities for the U.S. semiquincentennial. The task force’s yearlong celebrations began on Memorial Day and will continue through July 4 of next year.
Freedom 250 said it serves as the official public-private partnership working with Task Force 250 and federal agencies to “deliver the defining presidential moments of this anniversary year.”
These events — touching everything from sports to faith — will “unite Americans across all 50 states and territories in honoring the nation’s past and launching the next chapter of American greatness,” Freedom 250’s press release said.
Its calendar is filled to the brim with celebratory events, including a tour across all 50 States in the order in which they joined the union. It will feature Cabinet officials, local and state leaders and “high-profile celebrities” visiting K-12 schools.
“In my campaign for president, I pledged to give America the most spectacular birthday party the world has ever seen for America’s 250th anniversary on July 4 next year,” Mr. Trump said.
Among the celebratory events is the Great American State Fair, which will feature pavilions from all 50 states on the National Mall, highlighting “breathtaking innovations and celebrating America’s exceptional history and culture,” he said.
In the fall, the first-ever Patriot Games will showcase the “greatest high school athletes” — one young man and one young woman, Mr. Trump said — from each state and territory in a four-day athletic event.
Another project, teased for months, includes creating an arch that mirrors Paris’ Arc de Triomphe: a monument celebrating military victories and honoring fallen soldiers.
“We are the only major city. We are the only major capital. We are the only major place without a triumphal arc,” Mr. Trump said.
He said that construction will start in the very near future.
Other events include a prayer event and the highly anticipated Ultimate Fighting Championship event on Flag Day.
“There is much, much more to come. We’re gonna have a good time,” he said.
