Unit 1: America's 250th Birthday (Tle G3_gr2)

Unit 1: America’s 250^th Anniversary (The Semiquencentinnial)

How did Americans honor the past and welcome the future through the celebration of the country’s 250^th birthday.

Axis: Territory and Memory

Nation Wide Festivities

The document under study is a news report from ABC News, published on July, 5^th 2026. It deals with the Semiquencentinnial, which is the 250^th anniversary of America that celebrates America’s independence from Great Britain (July 4^th, 1776). We have learned that Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is the birthplace of America, where the Declaration of Independence was signed.

Moreover, we have learned that at Ellis Island 12 million people arrived decades ago in order to become American citizens.

Many celebrations took place all over the country, for example, in NYC there was the biggest marathon gathering of ships on the Hudson River. There were military flyovers over the city. This was an opportunity for the government to show their military strength.

In Washington DC, over the National Mall, there were elite parachutists from the Navy who descended the sky with the American flag (The Star-Spangled Banner). In addition, American citizens took part to eating contests. Children also too part to the event riding bikes with the colors of the flag parading in Washington DC. Furthermore, some people even dressed up as Uncle Sam or the Statue of Liberty (Lady Liberty).

We could hear the name of “Monticello” which was the plantation of Thomas Jefferson (3^rd president of the USA 1801-1809). He also wrote and signed the Declaration of Independence in 1776. It is located in Virginia. On July 4^th, 2026, 75 people became officially American citizens there.

Homework: Learn the lesson.