427 How States Are Planning the 250th: Commemorating the American Revolution in 2026

Ben Franklin's World

Liz Covart

Earlyrepublic, History, Benfranklin, Society & Culture, Warforindependence, Earlyamericanrepublic, Earlyamericanhistory, Education, Colonialamerica, Americanrevolution, Ushistory, Benjaminfranklin

4.6 • 1.5K Ratings

🗓️ 2 December 2025

⏱️ 51 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

As we look ahead to the 250th anniversary—the semiquincentennial—of the Declaration of Independence in 2026, communities and commissions across the United States are asking big questions: How should we commemorate this historic milestone? What’s the right balance between celebration and education? And how can this moment bring people together across political divides, generational gaps, and complex histories? To explore these questions, I’ve invited my friend, colleague, and Clio Digital Media co-founder Karin Wulf to guest host a special conversation with two people who are leading the way: Gregg Amore, Chair of the Rhode Island 250 Commission, and Carly Fiorina, Chair of the Virginia 250 Commission. Together, they reveal how their states are planning commemorative programs that center civic engagement, local storytelling, and inclusive history—and how the 250th can be more than a moment. It can be a spark. Karin’s Website | Book |Show Notes: https://www.benfranklinsworld.com/427 EPISODE OUTLINE00:00:00 Introduction00:01:10 Welcome & Episode Overview00:04:45 Guest Introductions00:07:32 Virginia & Rhode Island's Commemorative Plans00:11:21 State Efforts and Collaborations00:16:32 Engaging Young People00:20:11 Educational Initiatives00:22:13 Ken Burns's The American Revolution00:24:30 Navigating the Political Climate00:32:05 Reflections on the Bicentennial00:35:00 Challenges to Achieving Commemorative Goals00:42:51 Conclusion and Future Opportunities00:46:53 Final ThoughtsRECOMMENDED NEXT EPISODES🎧 Episode 250: Virginia, 1619🎧 Episode 373: The Gaspee Affair🎧 Episode 417: Roger Williams, Rogue Puritan🎧 Episode 416: Lineage: Genealogy in Early America🎧 Episode 424: Dunmore's Proclamation & the American Revolution in Virginia🎧 Episode 425: Ken Burns's The American RevolutionSUPPORT OUR WORK🎁 Make a Donation to Ben Franklin’s WorldREQUEST A TOPIC📨 Topic Request Form📫 [email protected] YOU'RE READY🗞️ BFW Gazette Newsletter 👩‍💻 Join the BFW Listener Community🌍 Join the History Explorers ClubLISTEN 🎧🍎 Apple Podcasts 💚 Spotify 🎶 Amazon Music🛜 PandoraCONNECT🦋 Liz on Bluesky👩‍💻 Liz on LinkedIn🛜 Liz’s WebsiteSAY THANKS💜 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts💚 Leave a rating on Spotify*Book links are affiliate links. Every purchase supports the podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Think about cheese.
0:02.0	Make your thoughts cheesier.
0:04.2	Now add 100% chicken breast fillet, Chipoplae sauce and amadea cheese melt, and it's
0:08.6	giving the new cheesy chicken stack at McDonald's.
0:12.4	Did we mention it's cheesy?
0:13.9	Cheese.
0:15.8	Availments of the 4th of Jan, 2026 from 11 a.m.
0:18.1	Price and participation may vary.
0:19.2	Subjects availability.
0:20.4	The French Revolution set Europe ablaze.
0:23.6	It was an age of enlightenment and progress, but also of tyranny and depression.
0:28.0	It was an age of glory and an age of tragedy.
0:31.0	One man stood above it all.
0:32.9	This was the Age of Napoleon.
0:35.4	I'm Everett Rummage, host of The Age of Napoleon podcast.
0:39.2	Join me as I examine the life and times of one of the most fascinating and
0:43.2	enigmatic characters in modern history.
0:46.2	Look for the age of Napoleon wherever you find your podcasts.
0:49.8	You're listening to an Airwave Media podcast.
0:53.6	I guess my greatest memory from 1976 was my mother sticking a tricorn hat on me to carry a banner in a parade that I really had no choice.
1:02.9	But it sparked an interest.
1:05.2	And clearly, I followed that interest into the classroom and then into government.
	...

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