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Celebrating America 250 across the federal government
The Transportation Department rolled out what Secretary Sean Duffey called “the best program to celebrate America’s birthday.” Their Freedom Moves You campaign is all about promoting images meant to inspire reflection and excitement about the future of transportation and America.
Look out for posters and billboards like the one above.
The Justice Department has a webpage exploring the history of America’s first attorneys general, and the unique roles they played in the Revolutionary War and founding of the nation. Edmund Randolph (pictured) was appointed by President George Washington in 1789, after serving under his command during the war. He would go on to serve as secretary of state, replacing Thomas Jefferson in the role.
What’s better than celebrating with your friends? The State Department is helping spread the anniversary festivities around the world with events at U.S. embassies. Members of the Marine Corps Forces Reserve Band perform in Panama City, Panama, in support of the embassy there.
State has also put together a video exploring 250 years of U.S. diplomacy.
A state-of-the-art drone performance lit up the stormy skies above the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library Thursday night. A follow-up show celebrating the legacy of the 26th president is scheduled for Saturday evening, at the Billings, North Dakota facility.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a global townhall event with State Department employees on Thursday.
The U.S. Mint is dishing out party favors everyone can get their hands on — in the form of special edition coins, including dimes, nickels and quarters. They say the imagery on the coins celebrates America’s founding ideals and her long journey “toward a more perfect union.”
The National Park Service’s party plans include a celebration at Mount Rushmore from July 2-4 (tickets needed for July 3 events), as well as the International Naval Review beginning on July 4 in New York Harbor. It’s billing that as a “historic, once-in-a-lifetime gathering of the largest fleet of U.S. and international ships and aircraft in honor of America’s 250th birthday … The celebration will also feature the largest-ever flotilla of tall ships from around the world.”
The Bureau of Land Management is celebrating America’s 250th along with its own 80th birthday, this year. The bureau’s Freedom 250 Volunteer Celebration seeks to recognize and encourage volunteer clean-up and maintenance efforts around the country.
BLM employees in Alaska marked the occasion with a Freedom 250 hike to the top of Flattop Mountain in Denali National Park, where they displayed the official America 250 flag.
The Interior Department is holding its Great American Expedition initiative across the country, featuring events that highlight the heritage, recreation and resource conservation work the department and its partner organizations do.
Their site features an interactive map to help you find events near you. Additionally, national parks are free to visit until July 5.
The District of Columbia is also hosting a series of events to celebrate the nation’s 250th, with a handy calendar available on online (though, D.C. itself won’t be celebrating its 250th for a few more years). Outdoor celebrations in the district will likely be a bit subdued, however, as the area is facing a major heatwave through the holiday weekend.
Sign up for relevant weather updates at alert.dc.gov.
(AP photo)
Want a commemorative item that will always be with you? The Social Security Administration is issuing special Social Security cards for babies born from July 2 until the end of the year.
U.S. Space Force partnered with Professional Bull Riding for a “patriotic spectacle and celebration of America” featuring a bull riding competition at the Air Force Academy’s Falcon Field on June 20.
U.S. Space Command unveiled a special America 250 logo for their social media and website.
