Ahead of the main event on July 4, 2026, marking the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Penn students, faculty, and staff will have multiple early opportunities to engage with America’s 250th anniversary.
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The Declaration of Independence on display at the National Archives in Washington, D.C.
(Image: Mark Schiefelbein via AP Images)
With the United States marking the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, in Philadelphia, Penn is preparing a steady stream of activities for the semiquincentennial.
As home to the McNeil Center for Early American Studies, Penn has a role to play academically, says Emma Hart, the director and the Roy F. and Jeannette P. Nichols Chair of American History. The Center’s affiliated staff and faculty encourage and support experts from Penn and other universities and postdoctoral fellows covering scholarly interests in the history and culture of North America in the Atlantic world before 1850.
“This is an opportunity to reflect on the founding era and have a general consideration, commemoration, and discussion of the United States at 250 and the values of the Declaration,” Hart says.
In addition to the McNeil Center playing host to several events marking this milestone, the agenda for the coming year includes opportunities for students, faculty, and staff to educate and inspire themselves, says Lynne Farrington, director of programs and senior curator for special collections at the Kislak Center for Special Collections. Farrington is spearheading Penn’s efforts along with an interdisciplinary team from across the University.
“It’s quite inspiring and energizing to see the connections being drawn between disparate ideas and historic concepts, between the stories of the past and the present day, and also a reflection of one of Penn’s strengths,” she says. “We’re very pleased about the many ways that people can connect with America’s founding stories on campus today.”
Several early opportunities to engage with America’s history—and Penn’s history—include the launch of courses spanning disciplines, the release of new books from Penn Press, and an ongoing interactive project from the Common Press. More exhibitions and events for 2026 will be announced in the coming months, with all information available on the America 250 at Penn website.
Revolutionary and early American history courses
Penn students have Revolutionary-themed courses to choose from on science, storytelling, slavery, women, economics, race, and culture. Below are courses available for the spring semester; the advance registration period closes Monday, Nov. 10.
The Penn Press has released a three-volume series telling the story of Philadelphia. Companion volumes span the time of the Native Americans who first lived here to the modern ages of development, transportation, and immigration, with exclusive contributions from noted scholars and Philadelphia voices. At a Dec. 4 launch event, some of the volume editors and faculty contributors will share their experiences.
Sneff’s lecture is part of the Common Press’ ongoing interactive programming called The Typography of Independence. Through 2026, it will explore the traditional methods of papermaking and printing that created the Declaration. It will culminate in a 12-hour community typesetting event in May and the opportunity to print copies of the Declaration throughout the summer. A series of monthly open studio sessions will feature aspects of broadside printing, and cotton and linen rags are being collected through December to prepare for papermaking in the spring.
Part of 52 Weeks of Firsts
As part of Visit Philadelphia’s yearlong initiative celebrating 52 Weeks of Firsts to highlight moments, places, and innovations that took root in Philadelphia, Penn is listed six times. Week 46 will recognize Penn as the nation’s first University, while other Penn-related firsts on the list include Week 50 and ENIAC, the first electronic computer developed at Penn in 1945, and Week 14 celebrates Franklin Field, the first stadium in America. Weeks 13, 20, and 41 honor the nation’s first medical school, first hospital, and the New Native American Galleries at Penn Museum celebrating America’s first peoples. Each of the 52 milestones will also be accompanied by a No. 1 sculpture by a local artist highlighting the notable first.
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