SCHEV supports the Virginia American Revolution 250 Commission (VA250) effort to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 2026. Several Virginia institutions of higher education will be participating in events leading up to the anniversary.

Established in 2020 to commemorate Virginia’s role in the 250th anniversary of American independence, the Virginia American Revolution 250 Commission (VA250) aims to form a more perfect union by educating Virginians about their history and civic duty and sharing diverse narratives that capture Virginia’s complete story and role in shaping the nation.

Virginia’s semiquincentennial is not simply about our past. How we commemorate our founding also impacts our present and our future. This is why the Virginia 250 Commission has chosen “To Form a More Perfect Union” as our theme. Our founders knew there was more work required two hundred and fifty years ago, and work remains to be done. Our overarching goals are to:

• educate Virginians, including our students, about our history, our founding ideals and our system of government
• engage every community and all regions in events that tell a complete story
• inspire Virginians to commit or recommit to the ideas and ideals of American citizenship

Virginia’s History is America’s Story” is more than a tagline on marketing collateral. Virginia has always been the crucible of our nation, from our founding to the present day. The first colonists arrived in Virginia. The first encounters with indigenous peoples occurred here. The first ships carrying the enslaved landed here. The first representative government was formed here. The famous speeches, critical debates and major events that led to the movement for independence and sparked a revolution happened here. The Fincastle Resolutions, the Bill of Rights, the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were all written by Virginians.

Because of the leadership role Virginia has always played in our nation, VA250 will, once again, lead the nation in the celebration of our semiquincentennial.

VA250 welcomes your participation. Here are some ways you can get involved:

• Sign up for VA250’s newsletter to receive updates on upcoming events, educational resources, and partnership opportunities
• Collaborate and volunteer with your respective county or city governments on planning local and regional events commemorating the 250th anniversary
• Attend VA250 related events in your locality or region. Events - Virginia American Revolution 250 Commemoration - VA250
• Visit the many historic sites across Virginia during the commemoration

Also check out our social media toolkit. VA250 is active on all major platforms, sharing engaging content daily. Explore national, state, and local stories of the American Revolution. Find out about upcoming commemorative events, historical sites and museums, and fascinating news snippets. Join the conversation! Follow us, share our posts, and leave comments. We also encourage you to share your own Virginia Revolutionary history and event discoveries using our hashtags.

Visit the VA250 website to learn more about the commission and the local and statewide events taking place.