Celebrating 250 years of service & beyond
The spirit of service has always been fundamental to our national character and essential to our democracy. In 2026, America will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, providing an ideal opportunity to celebrate the American spirit of service — a spirit so powerfully expressed in the closing words of the Declaration of Independence itself.
250 & Beyond is a national initiative, led by a coalition of leading service organizations, to create inspiring, inclusive, and enduring exhibitions to honor service in ALL its forms in communities, schools, libraries, and museums all across the country. It is a call to action, honoring our past, celebrating our present and inspiring our future, helping us respect our differences and transcend our divisions. If our nation is to last another 250 years, we must renew and sustain the American spirit of service among all our people and institutions. Your organization, school, community or you as an individual can be part of this. Sign up to learn how.
Key themes
Past
Honoring the history and lasting legacy of American service, and the role interdependence has played in building our great nation.
Present
Celebrating service as it's happening every day, in every community. Honoring the many groups and individuals who give of themselves to help others and connecting people with how they can participate.
Future
Inspiring the next generation of American leaders, the young people who will pave the way for the next 250 years.
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"Everybody can be great, because everybody can serve."
— Martin Luther King Jr.
How to get involved
Communities across the country are creating local exhibitions of service for the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Join the movement in celebrating and inspiring service in public spaces and connecting people to ways of getting involved. Be a part of a nationwide launch of exhibitions in a national celebration for volunteer month in April, 2026.
Create a local museum of service
Share a story of what the culture of service looks like in your community
How does the culture of service manifest in your neighborhood, your community, your campus, or in organizations around you? Submit a written account, text and photos, or a 30-60 second video. All submissions will be reviewed and selected stories will be celebrated through social media or published on our website.
Commemorate the Semiquincentennial with 250 & Beyond gear. The service themed merchandise honors the importance of being in service to one another in our nations history, democracy and future. ​
Check on the 250 & Beyond Bonfire store, where a portion of each sale supports the National Museum and Center for Service, a 501c3 nonprofit organization. Additionally, made-on-demand merchandise means it is printed each time a customer purchases, resulting in less waste and no overproduction that ends up in landfills.
Get the swag
On April 24, 2026 hundreds of school and community leaders from across the country will join the National Service Symposium. This hybrid event features inspirational speakers and panels, inviting participants to learn about and celebrating the role of service as a central part of the American character in honor of the 250th anniversary.
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The first National Service Symposium in 2024 saw hundreds of viewers tune in live, and brought together 150 leaders in service in person. ​
Attend the 2026 Service Symposium
About the organizing partners
The National Museum and Center for Service
A national organization developing a truly national museum and center dedicated to honoring and inspiring service in ALL its forms.
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​Independent Sector
The only national membership organization that brings together a diverse community of changemakers, nonprofits, foundations, and corporations working to strengthen civil society and ensure all people in the United States thrive.
​WETA
Founded in 1961, WETA is the leading public broadcasting station in the nation’s capital and serves their community with educational, cultural, news and public affairs programs and services.
Stay in touch
Join the conversation, and stay up to date on the 250 & Beyond celebrations. Be the first to hear about webinars, communities of practice, stories, new tools and resources to honor the American spirit of service.
Thank you
A special thank you to the following organizations who came together as a part of the 250 & Beyond Symposium Planning process:
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AARP Foundation, American Association for State and Local History, American Institute of Graphic Arts, America's Service Commissions, California Volunteers, Campus Compact, Interfaith America, Karsh Institute of Democracy, Made By Us, National Council for Social Studies, National Youth Leadership Council, Partnership for Public Service, PBS Books, Peace Corps Foundation, Serve Colorado, The Volcker Alliance, Urban Libraries Council, Washington State Historical Society, WETA
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The National Museum and Center for Service and Independent Sector are registered 501(c)(3) organizations.
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