America 250 at Auburn University
America 250 at
Auburn University
As the United States commemorates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Auburn University will host a yearlong series of campuswide events and activities celebrating the nation’s semiquincentennial.
As the nation approaches its 250th anniversary, America250 offers an opportunity to reflect on the ideals that shaped the United States and continue to influence civic life and democratic institutions.
America250 at Auburn University invites the campus community and the public to examine how these principles have been interpreted, debated, and reshaped over time. Through historical inquiry and contemporary discussion, the initiative explores both the promise and the complexity of the American experiment. Spanning disciplines and perspectives, this yearlong programming reflects Auburn’s longstanding commitment to open inquiry, rigorous scholarship, and thoughtful engagement with the ideas that define the nation’s past and inform its future.
New events and programs will be added throughout 2026.
In the spring of 1776, Thomas Jefferson drafted a document grounded in reason, evidence, and moral inquiry. He wrote of equality as a self-evident truth, of rights as concepts to be understood rather than granted, and of government as an institution accountable to an informed citizenry.
Democracy in Dialogue: A Conversation with the 66th Secretary of State, Sec. Condoleezza Rice and political analyst and author Margaret Hoover
Monday, March 30
6PM - 7PM
Jay and Susie Gogue Performing Arts Center
(Free) Ticket Reservations Required
Condoleezza Rice
Margaret Hoover
Launched in 2026, the Foundation Fellows Program brings faculty and students together in a shared community of inquiry focused on examining the ideas, texts, and traditions that have shaped American democracy. Coinciding with the nation’s 250th anniversary, the program encourages sustained engagement with questions of citizenship, leadership, and the responsibilities inherent in democratic life.
Established in 2026, the Foundation Fellows Program brings faculty and students together in a shared community of inquiry focused on examining the ideas, texts, and traditions that have shaped American democracy. Developed in conjunction with the nation’s 250th anniversary, the program invites participants to engage thoughtfully with questions of citizenship, leadership, and the responsibilities of democratic life.
Auburn University has selected Ben & Me: In Search of a Founder’s Formula for a Long and Useful Life by New York Times bestselling author and journalist Eric Weiner as the 2026 Common Book. The selection anchors a shared academic experience for incoming students and aligns with Auburn’s commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence through its campuswide programs and initiatives.
Throughout the year, the university will present a robust slate of academic, engagement, and commemorative programs, featuring colloquia, lectures, and a variety of special events.
Together, Pebble Hill and the Department of History will launch a speaker series, Revolutionary Legacies, that features three faculty members talking about the legacies of the Revolution on their area of expertise, including journalism, law and public health.
OLLI Course, Winter Term, 2026: "US 250: Perspectives from Auburn University History Faculty,” in collaboration with AU History Department
6th Grade Teacher Workshop on U.S. Independence and Creating U.S. Government...
Building on the success of the 2025 Geo Explorer Auburn Quest Out West expedition—from Auburn to the Esri Education Summit in San Diego and back—the College of Sciences and Mathematics is preparing an expanded, coast-to-coast initiative aligned with the upcoming 250th commemoration.
Auburn Journalism Day is an annual event organized and sponsored by the School of Communication and Journalism that gives students an opportunity to network with working professionals and learn about the latest trends and important issues in the field.
Auburn University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, through the AU Raptor Center, is in discussions to participate in two national America250 commemorative events.
This spring, Auburn University’s ROTC will incorporate America 250 into a rappel tower event by inviting faculty to participate, engaging cadets in conversation, and creating a visible tribute to the nation’s 250th anniversary, including a symbolic rappel display and photo opportunities during cadet certification training in the spring.
This year, Auburn’s Navy cadets will create a one-of-a-kind semiquincentennial salute at the heart of campus, bringing cadets in full uniform together at the Clock Tower to form “250,” framed by American flags and punctuated by a soaring War Eagle flyover. Designed as a visual tribute to service, tradition and the enduring ideals of the nation’s founding, the moment will blend Auburn pride with a powerful commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary.
Auburn has a long and proud history of honoring our Auburn military veterans. Every year, Auburn military men and women gather at our Auburn Military Appreciation Reception for camaraderie and recognition.
As part of America 250 at Auburn University, Auburn Magazine will feature a special section in 2026 recognizing the nation’s 250th anniversary. Through storytelling and reflection, the issue will explore the legacy of the American founding and its continued relevance for the Auburn community and beyond.
Have questions? Contact au250@auburn.edu.
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