Arizona to Commemorate 250th Anniversary of America's Founding

In the summer of 1976, Len Kirschner had just returned from military service in Spain when he and his wife packed up their little red Fiat and set off across the country.

It wasn’t a straight shot from New York to visit family in Oregon. Instead, the couple hopscotched from town to town, stopping in communities to join in the nation’s 200th anniversary festivities.

“We were doing about 200 miles a day because we kept stopping in every town that had a bicentennial celebration,” says Kirschner, 89, of Litchfield Park, a retired Air Force colonel and former AARP Arizona volunteer state president.

Nearly 50 years later, Kirschner is preparing to mark another milestone: the 250th anniversary of America’s founding, also known as the semiquincentennial. This time, he’ll play a role in helping plan Arizona’s commemorations, supporting efforts by the Arizona America250 Commission and AARP to engage communities in the effort.

America250 is the nationwide initiative to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States, celebrating the nation’s history while also looking ahead to its future. Each state has its own America250 commission to plan local events, programs and community initiatives.

Arizona’s celebrations kicked off this spring with Two Lights for Tomorrow, a symbolic event at the state Capitol featuring a reenactment of Paul Revere’s ride, cultural exhibits and the lighting of two spotlights representing unity and resilience.

“This is a unique opportunity in our country’s history to really think about unity and the ideals of our founding and how we live and work toward that more perfect union every day,” says Laura Terech, executive director of the Arizona America250 Commission.

History on display

The statewide celebration will span this year and next, including a traveling Liberty Bell exhibit, interactive programs and community events.

The commission will take Arizona’s replica Liberty Bell—gifted to the state in the 1950s—on tour to all 15 counties, accompanied by historic documents, art and educational displays.

The tour is reminiscent of the red, white and blue American Freedom Train that traveled the country in 1975 and 1976. It made stops to display historical artifacts, including the original Louisiana Purchase and Martin Luther King Jr.’s robes and pulpit. Terech hopes the traveling museum will reach students and residents who might never visit the state Capitol.

In addition to the traveling museum, the commission plans to launch Passport 250, an interactive app that will encourage residents to explore state parks, historic sites and cultural landmarks. The app will have features such as 250 miles of hiking trails, 250 notable places to visit in the state and 250 books related to Arizona and U.S. history, Terech says.

Commission subcommittees focused on arts, civic engagement, veterans and tourism are also planning events to highlight Arizona’s diverse heritage.

AARP Arizona is partnering with the commission to promote the events and encourage volunteer involvement, particularly as local communities develop their own semiquincentennial celebrations. Volunteer opportunities will expand as events roll out.

AARP Arizona’s involvement is crucial because it ensures that the voices and contributions of older Americans are honored and integrated, says State Director Dana Kennedy.

“By participating, AARP helps bridge generations, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of our shared history and the invaluable experiences” of older adults, Kennedy says.

Kirschner, who will serve on the commission’s veterans committee, says volunteering is a meaningful way to both stay engaged and understand the nation’s history.

“There’s an old saying: If you don’t understand where you’ve been, it’s hard to know where you’re going,” he says.

Learn more about the Arizona America250 Commission and the commemorative events it’s planning at azsos.gov/az250.

Stacey Shepard, a California-based journalist, writes about health care, the environment and other issues.

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