Daijiworld Media Network - Washington
Washington, Jul 4: US President Donald Trump has officially proclaimed July 4, 2026, as the 250th anniversary of the adoption of the US Declaration of Independence, urging Americans to commemorate the historic milestone by celebrating the nation's founding values, history and achievements.
In a presidential proclamation issued ahead of Independence Day, Trump described the Declaration of Independence as the enduring foundation of American freedom, saying its principles have continued to guide the United States over the past two and a half centuries.
He said the spirit ignited by the nation's founders in Philadelphia remains central to America's identity and expressed confidence that the country would continue to emerge stronger, more prosperous and more united in the years ahead.
The proclamation revisits the origins of American independence, recalling how the Second Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence in July 1776. It notes that the document was drafted primarily by Thomas Jefferson following a resolution introduced by Richard Henry Lee seeking independence from British rule.
Trump highlighted one of the Declaration's most enduring principles—that all people are created equal and possess inalienable rights, including life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness—which he said continues to define the nation's democratic values.
The proclamation also recounts major events of the American Revolutionary War, including the Battles of Lexington and Concord, Bunker Hill, the crossing of the Delaware River, the winter encampment at Valley Forge and the decisive victory at Yorktown. Trump said these moments reflected the courage, determination and resilience that shaped the American nation.
Looking beyond the Revolutionary era, the President cited the preservation of the Union during the American Civil War, the abolition of slavery, rapid industrial growth, victories in both World Wars, the Apollo Moon landing and decades of technological innovation as defining milestones in the country's evolution.
He also praised the United States' contributions to global scientific and technological progress, pointing to breakthroughs such as the telephone, the personal computer, the internet and advances in medicine.
Using the anniversary proclamation to outline his administration's future priorities, Trump said the United States would continue strengthening its sovereignty, protecting its constitutional freedoms and preserving its national heritage.
He also highlighted ambitions in space exploration, artificial intelligence, quantum technology and energy development, saying the country would continue its efforts to return astronauts to the Moon and eventually send Americans to Mars.
Formally declaring July 4, 2026, as the "250th Anniversary of the Adoption of the Declaration of Independence," Trump called on Americans to observe the occasion with ceremonies and events honouring the nation's history, heritage and accomplishments.
The anniversary forms part of the broader America250 initiative, a congressionally established national programme commemorating 250 years since the founding of the United States. Throughout the anniversary year, federal agencies, state governments, local communities and cultural institutions are organising commemorative ceremonies, exhibitions and educational programmes across the country.