Ohio gearing up for America's 250th birthday
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We're about 250 days away from celebrating America's 250th birthday throughout 2026.
State of play: Ohio's Commission for the U.S. Semiquincentennial is not only highlighting the nation's founding in 1776, but all the history made since then.
- Along with planning next year's festivities, the commission is helping communities develop lasting historical projects.
The latest: It just awarded dozens of grants statewide, including some to pay for new Westerville murals and a "Transportation Open House" in Hilliard featuring old trains, planes and automobiles.
- There's also a tree planting project and a new Creativity Trail featuring sites like the local Thurber House and Ohio Craft Museum.
The big picture: July 4, 2026, is the big day, though state humanities councils face planning difficulties due to recent DOGE federal funding cuts.
Yes, but: The Ohio legislature is funding most of our commission's grants, programs and marketing, so we're not affected, a spokesperson tells us.
- Gov. Mike DeWine's budget proposal seeks $10 million more over the next two fiscal years. The House budget bill obliged, while the Senate is still negotiating its own bill.
The intrigue: The Statehouse recently paid tribute to Paul Revere's famous midnight ride 250 years ago, placing two lights inside the cupola.
- A Capitol Square monument to women's suffrage is expected to be unveiled next summer to coincide with the festivities.