The University of Michigan is joining the nation in commemorating the momentous 250th anniversary of the United States’ founding. This milestone is being celebrated through a series of events and activities designed to provoke thought and discussion about democracy’s roots and future.
The U.S. at 250 program, a collaborative effort from the Initiative for Democracy and Civic Empowerment, the William L. Clements Library, and the U-M Arts Initiative, is providing the university community with forums for dialogue and reflection on the spirit of democracy established in 1776.
MORE INFORMATION
- U.S. at 250
- Look to Michigan: America at 250
- “Revolutionary Paine” at the Clements
- “A Quilt Built from Stories”
This initiative is led by:
- Jenna Bednar, faculty director for UMICH Votes and the Initiative for Democracy & Civic Empowerment; professor of political science, LSA; and professor of public policy, Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy.
- Paul Erickson, Randolph G. Adams Director of the William L. Clements Library.
- Mark Clague, executive director, Arts Initiative; and professor of music, School of Music, Theatre & Dance.
With the anniversary approaching, the program is amplifying opportunities for public reflection on democracy’s evolution.
“Just as the Americans who proclaimed our Declaration of Independence were taking stock of where they stood and imagining a different future, we too are at a moment of reflection — considering what we have achieved and what we have yet to achieve,” said Jenna Bednar. Alongside Celeste Watkins-Hayes, she co-chairs the Look to Michigan vision campaign’s inaugural theme Year of Democracy, Civic Empowerment, and Global Engagement for 2024-25.
The campaign highlights the impact areas of Human Health and Well-Being; Democracy, Civic & Global Engagement; Advanced Technology; Energy, Climate Action, Sustainability and Environmental Equity; and Life-Changing Education, as well as Arts & Creative Expression and Innovation, Partnerships, and Economic Development through advertisements in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and Michigan publications.
Declaration public reading
Events marking the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence on July 8, 1776, will include a public reading at U-M’s Diag. President Domenico Grasso and representatives from the university’s 19 schools and colleges are invited to participate in this event, which is part of a nationwide effort coordinated by America250MI. The Diag event will commence at 5:45 p.m. with free popsicles, music, and remarks, followed by the reading at 6 p.m.
The Clements Library features 58 editions of Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense,” which played a crucial role in the independence movement by criticizing British rule. Paul Erickson noted, “The Clements Library is one of the best places in the world to study the history of the American Revolution. And if I have learned anything from working at the Clements, it is that we are still engaged in the passionate discussion that began over 250 years ago about what this country is and what it might aspire to be.”
Art at work
The U.S. at 250 Community Quilt Workshop produced a quilt featuring the words “Love,” “Empathy,” “Trust,” and “Belonging.” It will be displayed in various campus locations from July to September. Additionally, students created original artwork for stickers celebrating the university’s role in democracy, with designs by Cole Dorman, Ashini Shah, and Mia Echlin chosen for distribution.
Mark Clague emphasized the importance of art in democracy: “Artists have both the skills and social responsibility to use sound, story, movement, image, space, and time in agile and engaging ways not only to showcase different perspectives and possibilities but to create experiences that invite us all to reconsider our responsibilities and choices as citizens more deeply.”
Upcoming events
U.S. at 250 has funded $100,000 towards exhibits, events, research, and courses. Upcoming highlights include:
- “Common Ground: This Land, Our Future,” late September at Matthaei Botanical Gardens, featuring panel discussions on land stewardship and ecological care, along with a 250 Oak Tree Giveaway.
- “U-M Press 250th Anniversary Exhibit and Catalog,” fall in Shapiro Library Gallery, showcasing 12 books selected by undergraduate Larnell Gross to represent U.S. identity.
- “U.S. at 250 Scavenger Hunt,” starting Sept. 14, with clues leading participants to campus exhibits for a chance to win U.S. at 250 plush keychain squirrels.
Jenna Bednar reflected on the significance of this anniversary: “The humanities help us reflect on what makes our lives meaningful and what we owe one another; the sciences help us build the knowledge and tools to create a better future. This anniversary asks us to look honestly at how far we have come, how far we still have to go, and how we might move forward together.”
