Dear colleagues:
July 4th, the high point of our 250th year, is nearly here, and how the country will respond remains to be seen. Young and old, conservative and liberal, from the West Coast to the South, the Great Plains to New England, and across America’s territories, people will mark the Semiquincentennial in different ways. They will draw different conclusions about what two and a half centuries of our democratic republic means for the future.
What is certain is this: thanks to years of planning by thousands of history organizations and communities, the 250th will leave a lasting mark on American society and on our field. That impact may be difficult to discern at first amid the churn of national politics and divisiveness, but millions of Americans will experience the Semiquincentennial where it matters most—in their own communities, with family, friends, and neighbors. The 250th belongs to all of us.
AASLH has long believed the most meaningful 250th activities would happen at the state and local levels, and that is exactly what we are seeing. Beyond the partisan spectacle in Washington, something quieter—and ultimately more enduring—has taken shape in neighborhoods across the country. Block parties and potlucks, traveling exhibitions, public readings of the Declaration of Independence, bell-ringing ceremonies, new K–12 programs, museum openings, 5Ks, walking tours, historical markers, research projects, re-grant programs, public lectures, civic discussions, and countless other efforts have been created by and for local communities.
The history field has played a vital role in making these efforts possible. You have planned with intention, innovation, and ambition. You have strengthened relationships with longtime supporters while welcoming new audiences and building bridges across differing perspectives. You have revisited interpretation to make it more inclusive, accurate, and complete. You have connected past and present to make this anniversary relevant for more people. Along the way, you have strengthened your institutions, enhanced their sustainability, and demonstrated their enduring public value. I could not be prouder to stand alongside tens of thousands of passionate, knowledgeable professionals and volunteers so deeply committed to serving the public.
As the high-water mark of 2026 passes, many of us will ask, “Where do we go from here?” First, the 250th has reminded us that history belongs to all of us—not to one person, one group, or one perspective. By encountering the Semiquincentennial at the local level, more Americans can feel a deeper connection to and greater stake in both their community’s history and our nation’s story. Second, the 250th can mark the beginning of civic renewal. Rebuilding our civic fabric will require strong history organizations that help people understand the past, engage with one another, and sustain democracy.
For AASLH, that means using the momentum of the 250th to focus more intentionally on the relationship between history and civic life. We live in a deeply polarized society facing real signs of democratic erosion. Yet, just as the Semiquincentennial has found its greatest impact locally, so too will the renewal of our democracy. History organizations, with their broad reach and high public trust, are uniquely positioned to foster historical understanding, strengthen critical thinking, and convene neighbors around shared learning, dialogue, and inspiration. There is no better way to demonstrate our field’s relevance, secure its future, and honor the promise of the 250th than by dedicating the years ahead to strengthening American democracy.
As we look toward the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Constitution, it is worth remembering that the years between 1776 and 1787 were also marked by rancor and fierce political division. We should see our own moment in a similar light: challenging, certainly, but also full of possibility. Those years produced lasting change. Ours can as well—by creating a more equitable and just society in which more Americans see themselves in our shared past, present, and future.
I hope you will join AASLH in celebrating the ingenuity and dedication that have defined the history field’s contributions to the Semiquincentennial and in carrying that same spirit into the work that lies ahead.
Sincerely,
John R. Dichtl
President & CEO, AASLH
