PHILADELPHIA, Pa. (WHTM) – Every Fourth of July is special in the City of Brotherly Love, the birthplace of the United States. But while everyone celebrates the nation’s 248th birthday on Thursday, many are eyeing the nation’s 250th in 2026.
The Semiquincentennial birthday is being organized by groups like America250 with a special emphasis on Pennsylvania. The state put an emphasis on planning the event in 2018 when Governor Tom Wolf and state lawmakers established America250PA to coordinate projects, programs, and events for the milestone.
Governor Josh Shapiro and each of the state’s five living former Governors are Honorary Co-Chairs of the America250PA Commission. Other members of the commission include state lawmakers and community leaders. In 2021, America250PA became the first state to partner with the America 250 effort with 12 platforms, including Salute, Discover, Recognize, Impact, Innovate, and Showcase.
Some of the initiatives leading up to the 250th birthday include The Liberty Tree Project in partnership with the Pennsylvania Freemasons. Certified Liberty Trees, recognizing the original Liberty Tree where the Sons of Liberty would meet during the American Revolution, are being planted across the state.
“America sees this truly as an opportunity to learn from our history, really embrace our present and reimagine our future, said Cassandra Coleman, the Executive Director of America250PA at the dedication of Franklin County’s Liberty Tree last October. “And we look at these opportunities for planting these trees as ways to recognize the 250 for the next 50 years or 100 years.”
Pennsylvania preps for America’s 250th birthday celebration
Semiquincentennial Bells are also being placed across the state. The first bell was placed in the Endless Mountains of Susquehanna County and organizers plan to place bronze Liberty Bell replicas across the state in historically significant locations.
Sports fans will also be flocking to Pennsylvania during the Semiquincentennial Birthday. The Philadelphia Phillies will be hosting the 2026 MLB All-Star Game, the first time the All-Star game has been in Philadelphia since 1996.
“It was a really easy sell to baseball to host the game here in Philadelphia,” Phillies managing partner John Middleton said. “It’s the logical place.”
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is also coming to Philadelphia’s sports complex at Lincoln Financial Field with a Round of 16 match on July 4.
Across the state, the 2026 NFL Draft will be held in Pittsburgh
“Pittsburgh has established itself as one of the most dynamic cities in the country – and it is the best choice to host the draft,” said Governor Shapiro. “With all eyes on Pennsylvania during America’s 250th birthday in 2026, the Commonwealth is excited and ready to work together to host this historic draft and show the country what Pennsylvania is all about.”
Source link : https://www.abc27.com/pennsylvania/pennsylvania-celebrates-july-4-with-eyes-set-on-250th-in-2026/amp/
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Publish date : 2024-07-04 11:01:50
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