America’s 250th Anniversary
On July 4, 2026, the United States marked 250 years of independence. American Spaces can help audiences explore this historic milestone through programs, discussions, digital experiences, and educational resources that illuminate the people, ideas, and events that have shaped the United States.
Explore the resources below to plan engaging activities for audiences of all ages.
Freedom 250
Discover resources for commemorating America’s founding, independence, and constitutional democracy. The Freedom 250 collection includes digital exhibits, lesson plans, program toolkits, eBooks and audiobooks, virtual reality experiences, and resources from U.S. cultural institutions.
American Heroes
Meet more than 200 Americans whose achievements and examples helped shape the nation. Browse the collection alphabetically or by strategic focus area, access related program toolkits, and find books, audiobooks, and magazines through the American Heroes eLibraryUSA collection.
Additional Program Toolkits
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4th of July
U.S. INDEPENDENCE DAY PROGRAM TOOLKIT FOR AMERICAN SPACES This program toolkit is designed for American Spaces to create programs and use social media to focus on Fourth of July celebrations. HIGHLIGHTED RESOURCES Smithsonian Digital Collections The Library of Congress collections of downloadable images and music.Fourth of July Images State Department’s Flickr pages on July 4th…
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Alaska: The Last Frontier
ALASKA: THE LAST FRONTIER PROGRAM TOOLKIT FOR AMERICAN SPACES This Americana Toolkit is designed for programming at American Spaces to further understanding of the United States. HISTORIC EVENTS 1728 – Danish explorer Vitus Bering discovers the Bering Strait.1776 – British explorer Captain James Cook makes contact with Alaskan natives.1784 – The Russians establish a permanent…
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American Revolution
THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION PROGRAM TOOLKIT FOR AMERICAN SPACES This program toolkit is designed for programming at American Spaces to create a greater awareness of the American Revolution, its historical context, and its impact on democracy around the world. LESSON PLANS Public Broadcasting Service Liberty! American Revolution – This comprehensive video series (American Spaces will need…
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American Southwest
THE SOUTHWEST UNITED STATES AN AMERICANA SERIES TOOLKIT FOR AMERICAN SPACES This Americana Series Toolkit is designed for programming at American Spaces. The information here is designed to broaden knowledge of specific regions of the United States and their local cultures and customs. Photo credit: Brad Scott CURRENT ISSUES Two key issues in the Southwest…
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Educating Through Comics
EDUCATING THROUGH COMICS PROGRAM TOOLKIT FOR AMERICAN SPACES This program toolkit is designed for programming at American Spaces to increase participants’ awareness of comic books as educational tools and to understand the history and current expressions of this genre of American popular culture. COMICS REFLECT SOCIETY Comic books can take the reader on compelling journeys…
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First Amendment Rights: Freedom of Religion
FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS RELIGIOUS FREEDOM PROGRAM TOOLKIT FOR AMERICAN SPACES This Resource Toolkit is designed for programming at American Spaces to create a greater awareness of the rights outlined in the First Amendment of the Bill of Rights, specifically freedom of religion. This is the second in a series of three First Amendment Toolkits. LESSON…
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First Amendment Rights: Freedom of Speech and the Press
FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS: FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND THE PRESS PROGRAM TOOLKIT FOR AMERICAN SPACES This program toolkit is designed for programming at American Spaces to create a greater awareness of the rights outlined in the First Amendment of the Bill of Rights, specifically freedom of speech and of the press. Official White House photo by…
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