As the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence approaches in July, a nationwide initiative — America250 — is commemorating the milestone with educational and celebratory programs and events. America250@SJU, St. Joe’s chapter of the initiative, will be planning events, trips and contests throughout the year to engage the St. Joe’s community with the country’s “past, present and future.”
According to its website, America250’s mission is not only to celebrate the historic event but also to “renew our commitment to the ideals of democracy through programs that educate, engage, and unite us as a nation.”
Melissa Chakars, Ph.D., professor and chair of history and chair of the America250@SJU Committee, said the anniversary is a chance to examine how the nation has evolved over time.
“The anniversary of the U.S. Declaration of Independence gives us a real opportunity to take a closer look at the United States of America,” Chakars said. “Where have we come over the past 250 years? What have we accomplished? Who are we? And then, who do we want to be?”
According to Chakars, the program is designed to “engage” students with U.S. — and Philadelphian — history. In order to do so in a way that is both educational and “fun,” Chakars said, students have been appointed to help plan events throughout the semester.
America250@SJU is a student-run organization that will be planning events throughout the spring 2026 and fall 2026 semesters. This will include a lecture series, a film series, designated courses, a partnership with the Misher Festival of Arts and Humanities and internship opportunities.
Students have a critical role in the commemoration, according to Brianna Kelly ’26, president of America250@SJU.
“The American250 celebration is for the entire nation and not just for the academics to participate in and plan,” Kelly wrote in an email to The Hawk. “Students of this generation are the contemporary voices and can bring diverse perspectives that they feel are important to add to the celebration that will be remembered.”
Julia Noone ’26, vice president of marketing for America250@SJU, said she hopes students feel the significance of experiencing the nation’s semiquincentennial at a Philadelphia university.
“People only [get] to experience that once,” Noone said. “And sometimes, we only get to experience that maybe through reading something through a textbook and learning about the history like that. We get to actually see what is happening, not only in Philadelphia but on our campus. I just hope students walk away feeling more connected with the city.”
Students will also have the opportunity to participate in the Academic Adventure Passport Program. Through the program, students will be given a passport. For each designated America250 course they take, event they attend or internship or volunteering opportunity they engage in, they will receive a stamp. Students who complete five passport stamps will receive an America250@SJU designation that they can put on their resume.
Chakars said the wide variety of events and opportunities is intentional.
“We want to make it very clear that we believe in looking at American history from all angles,” Chakars said. “So, we believe in celebrating American history but also of having a critical eye in American history and trying to really understand, what is the United States of America, and what is the United States of America in the past, present and future?”
St. Joe’s is not alone in making plans for the semiquincentennial. The city of Philadelphia has set aside nearly $60 million to commemorate the 250th anniversary, according to NBC10. Noone said it’s exciting that St. Joe’s students have the opportunity to commemorate the anniversary in the nation’s birthplace.
“As college students, I think we’re in a really great spot and a really great city that’s celebrating America250, and it’s also the birthplace of America,” Noone said. “I think it’s really cool that we’re living in a time where we’re able to experience all the things that are happening this year.”
