WASHINGTON STATE
250 Years of Independence: Connecting Washingtonians to Their Roots
2026 marks 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, and with it, nationwide efforts to thoughtfully reflect on our past, present, and future.
In Washington, we are striving to plan a commemoration that will help all Washingtonians feel more connected to their history and to gain a better understanding of the foundational principles, structure, and purpose of our democratic system. This commemoration will also recognize the sovereignty of Tribal Nations as well as their presence and impact, since time immemorial, on the land that is now Washington.
We look forward to this once-in-a-generation opportunity to focus on the importance of history, foster new partnerships in our communities, and invest in resources for local history organizations to build capacity into the future.
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The Washington State Historical Society, which provides staffing for Washington’s Semiquincentennial Committee, is headquartered in Tacoma on the traditional lands of the Puyallup People, who have stewarded this land throughout the generations. We pay respect to their elders past and present.
GET INVOLVED
We are eager to include all Washingtonians in this important moment in our country’s history and hope to have partners from every community in Washington.
LATEST UPDATES
Discover how we’re connecting Washingtonians to their rich history, celebrating Tribal Nations’ sovereignty, and fostering community partnerships. Learn about our plans to invest in local history organizations and make history accessible for future generations.
Category: National Partners
America’s Field Trip is a new, nationwide scholastic contest encouraging students to...
Category: National Partners
The American Association for State and Local History (AASLH) announced the publication...
Category: Legislative Action
During the supplemental legislative session, funding was approved through the Washington State...