Commemorating 250 Years: The People’s Role in America’s Future

250 years ago, Philadelphia was at the center of a worldwide change. The heart of a brave and humbling experiment — the birth of America and one of the world’s first representative democracies.

Now, 248 years later, we stand on the precipice of that experiment, with American democracy in the crosshairs at the same time we’re gearing up for the Semiquincentennial in 2026. And as it was 250 years ago, America’s survival — and growth — is up to us — the people.

As the former Mayor of Philadelphia and Governor of Pennsylvania, I’m pleased and proud to announce the People’s Commemoration for the 250th Anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, led by PHILADELPHIA250. Created to celebrate the city we love as the birthplace of American democracy, the fundamental importance of democracy and the importance of local engagement, the People’s Commemoration is by the people. For ALL people.

As a city of neighborhoods, there are so many stories to tell. So many people who have stories and experiences to share. So many treasures and hidden gems within the neighborhoods that people don’t know about or haven’t seen. We want the people — we want YOU — in every corner of the city to be able to participate, through activities that go beyond the traditional historic district, that highlight the diverse people and places of Philadelphia. To help make sure of that, we’re announcing this month a Community Advisory Committee composed of civic and community leaders representing neighborhoods across the city, who will spotlight what makes each area unique and make sure voices are heard.

2026 will be filled with big and exciting and wonderful events. And this special occasion also must celebrate the stories, wonderfully unique icons and histories that make Philadelphia — and America — so remarkable. We are not just a city of neighborhoods. We are America’s Neighborhood. And we want to welcome everyone — those of us lucky enough to live here and those who will come and visit — to all the destinations within our destination.

Philadelphia history is American history. It is not all worthy of celebration. These 250 years were fraught from the beginning with contradiction and injustice to Black, Brown, Native Americans and women with lingering consequences still very real today. This must be recognized. So, while there is much to celebrate, there is still much more work to do, challenges and injustices to overcome. The only way to make that happen is to participate and to make your mark on this once in a generation opportunity for our city and country, to make changes that will ensure the country will have a more perfect union and democracy will survive and flourish.

Make sure you and your neighborhood are part of PHILADELPHIA250. Join us!

Here are just a few ideas of how to get involved now. You can also click here to go to our website: www.philadelphia250.us

List events on our Citywide Calendar — Register your event on our Peoples Programs for the 250th. We’ll help promote and celebrate it as Philadelphia comes alive with programs and events across the city that will inspire civic action; showcase our arts, culture, science, and history and highlight our treasured cultural places and public spaces.

Serve on our Community Advisory Council — We are a reflection of our community’s diversity, creativity, and passion, committed to empowering the city’s current and future change-makers to get involved.

Make a Legacy Pledge — Turn your organization’s passions into lasting legacies by making a 250th Legacy Pledge — a measurable goal that addresses an important need in Philadelphia and can be completed by July 4, 2026.

Join our Citywide Porch & Stoop Fest — Become an honorary 250th Block Captain alongside 250th revelers across the city, to coordinate a unique celebration of Philadelphia’s neighbors and neighborhoods — a once in a lifetime event to decorate porches, stoops and storefronts during a citywide block party with house party vibes.

Propose Neighborhood Gateway — Suggest a cultural or commercial corridor for our Gateways; Regional locations adjacent to hubs of activity that we will invest in, direct tourism towards and celebrate locally with a rotating schedule of 250th themed events and specialty tours.

Support our Legacies for the 250th — Learn more about and support our proposed legacy projects spanning local interests from cultural tourism and preservation, to children playing with BIPOC superheroes, to expanding access for disabled communities across Philadelphia.

What’s Unique About My Neighborhood — What do you love about your neighborhood? Share your vision for how your community should be showcased. Create a video post, audio note or love letter for 2026, that will be posted across our channels and inspire the city.

Sound Off in a Civic Conversation — Participate in an upcoming chat using our crowdsourced Dare to2 Declare Cards. Host or chat with others in a dynamic conversation, sharing perspectives about the city’s upcoming commemoration, and celebrations.

Share Your Stories — Nominate stories for us to feature through our inclusive storytelling platform. Read about and witness Hometown Heroes, featured in our series.

Host a Declaration Station Stop — Roll out the red carpet to host our Pop Up! The Declaration Station is a mobile resource traveling across the city promoting conversation and collecting the civic vision of Philadelphians in 2026, while sharing your advocacy or promotional materials at our mobile popup spaces.

Share your info to be considered for a Citywide Newsletter — Submit your materials for us to spread the word to the spaces online and offline we’ll manage. Champion your cause to our Community Advisory Committee Co-Chairs. Share why your materials are important for the community.

Tap into our People Powered Themes — Witness our contemporary applications of the Declaration of Independence. Revolutionary Actions, Pursuit of Happiness, People’s Histories, and Shared Prosperity are themes to tell stories By the People, For All People. Tag us when you’re online and see hidden histories and untold stories of everyday people who deserve to be remembered and commemorated.

Facilitate with Us — Train to become a volunteer facilitator at our Pop-Up events for Declaration Station or Civic Conversations. Learn our methods for making meaningful models for dialogue. Multilingual applicants are welcome as we seek to translate experiences into the diversity of languages spoken locally.

Volunteer at an Upcoming Event — Outreach, promotions, being a PHL250 Ambassador and spreading the word, is the essence of our volunteer corps.

Book a PHILADELPHIA250 Team Member to talk to your group, gathering or meeting and share the different ways to participate.