Engaging the Diplomatic Corps for America’s 2026 Semiquincentennial
In 2026, the United States will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of Declaration of Independence and the founding of our country. This momentous anniversary will be marked across the United States with inclusive programs that inspire Americans to renew and strengthen our daring experiment in democracy.
As we look ahead to this milestone, the Smithsonian Institution, the Meridian Center for Cultural Diplomacy, and America250 hosted an informational session for diplomats on how to best prepare, plan, and participate in the 250th celebration, including opportunities to collaborate with Meridian the Smithsonian. Rosie Rios, Chair of America250, and Lisa Sasaki, Deputy Under Secretary for Special Projects, Smithsonian Institution, both gave presentations outlining the upcoming programs and opportunities for collaboration. Following the presentations, Rios and Sasaki were joined on stage by Aviva Rosenthal, Director of the Office of Global Affairs at the Smithsonian to field questions from the audience. During the Q&A session, Meridian’s Vice President of Cultural Programs, T.K. Harvey, underscored Meridian’s role as an America250 National Resource Partner serving the diplomatic community as a gateway to America250 and the Smithsonian to help develop and manage relevant programming in 2026.
These Were the Top Takeaways from the Program:
1. Leveraging a nationwide and international reach
Rosie Rios highlighted the creation of Congressional America250 Caucus and the importance of reaching Americans across the country and abroad. The caucus is bipartisan with 127 Democrats, 127 Republicans, and 1 independent. Rios also expressed the key role embassies can play in reaching their diaspora communities across the country, through collaborations with Smithsonian affiliates and 56 official state and territory commissions have been created to organize and promote local activities.
2. Sports Diplomacy at the Forefront
The upcoming years will present an intersection of three historical milestones for the U.S. The upcoming 2026 World Cup and the 2028 LA Olympics will coincide with America250, making the opportunities for impact that much more important. Rosie Rios highlighted the practical approaches being taken, such as FIFA's detailed programming and cross-marketing efforts, which will enhance the visibility and engagement of America250. The partnership with the US Olympic Committee and the Soccer Federation underscores the collaborative effort required to engage Americans domestically and abroad. As Rios aptly stated, "we are engaging 350 million Americans; we can't do that alone, it's going to take a global effort." This global collaboration will not only celebrate America's rich history but also foster international unity and cooperation.
3. Key Programming and Opportunities for Diplomatic Collaboration
Rosie Rios discussed several impactful programs aimed at celebrating and sustaining America's legacy. By actively participating in these initiatives, the diplomatic community can help foster a sense of global unity and celebrate the shared values and milestones that America250 represents. These programs include:
- America’s Field Trip
- Our American Story
- America Waves
- America Gives
- America’s Soundtrack
4. Smithsonian’s 4 Cs
The Smithsonian will be organizing their semiquincentennial celebrations around 4 key pillars: contemplate, commemorate, celebrate, and commit. All of Smithsonian’s 21 museums, 14 research and science centers, the national zoo, and over 200 Smithsonian affiliates in 46 states, Puerto Rico, and Panama will be activated around these themes. These pillars will guide planned programing:
- Issue a call to action around shared future;
- Explore tension between celebration and contemplation around topics of democracy and the American Revolution;
- Engage in regional and international collaboration;
- Launch new ways to work and collaborate to meet the needs of a transforming world.
5. Celebrating in America’s Front Yard
Taking over the National Mall for four weeks, Smithsonian will host Of the People: The Smithsonian Festival of Festivals from June 18 to July 12, 2026. Sasaki emphasized that “having that space become a living monument to America’s cultural traditions” is a way to connect local and global audiences through cultural exchange and celebration. Smithsonian is looking for opportunities to connect these festivals to other community festivals around the world. Outside of Washington, D.C., the Smithsonian will be engaging regional partners across the six geographic regions of the United States and digital audiences through new digital platforms.
Project summary
| Engaging the Diplomatic Corps for America’s 2026 Semiquincentennial | February 2025 | |
|---|---|
| Impact Areas: | Cultural Diplomacy |
| Program Areas: | Culture |
