Plans are taking shape nationwide to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 2026.
To help courts prepare, the National Center for State Courts (NCSC) has created a handbook, “Free, to Be Fair: Courts Celebrating America @ 250.” The handbook provides practical ideas for celebrating this milestone while strengthening public trust, improving access to court information, and enhancing service in the years ahead. It offers outreach and engagement ideas, along with messaging frameworks and examples that courts can tailor to local needs and existing programs.
“Courts have a unique opportunity to engage their communities through education and outreach during America’s 250th anniversary,” said NCSC President Elizabeth Clement. “This is an important opportunity for state courts to emphasize not just where they came from, but where they are today, and where they are going.”
NCSC has also established a webpage at ncsc.org/america250 that provides off-the-shelf resources like explainer videos, as well as showcasing how state courts are celebrating the anniversary.
A sampling of activities from courts across the country already includes:
• Indiana is partnering with the Indiana Historical Society to offer a traveling oral argument, followed by a museum tour and historical exhibits.
• New Jersey is producing a series of short videos highlighting connections between the New Jersey courts and key figures of the American Revolution.
• North Carolina is featuring an interactive timeline that brings history to life as part of the judicial branch’s Celebration 250 campaign.
• Ohio is offering a dedicated America 250 web page with an events calendar and historical and judicial firsts facts. The court is also offering a Foundational Documents exhibit, and evening tours of the Judicial Center.
• Vermont has established a statewide judicial committee to plan courthouse-based events, and a Supreme Court naturalization ceremony.
NCSC is collecting examples of how courts are planning efforts for this historic celebration. Courts can sahre ideas by completing the online form found online at ncsc.org/america250. The handbook, the latest examples, and additional resources, are also available at ncsc.org/america250.
To help courts prepare, the National Center for State Courts (NCSC) has created a handbook, “Free, to Be Fair: Courts Celebrating America @ 250.” The handbook provides practical ideas for celebrating this milestone while strengthening public trust, improving access to court information, and enhancing service in the years ahead. It offers outreach and engagement ideas, along with messaging frameworks and examples that courts can tailor to local needs and existing programs.
“Courts have a unique opportunity to engage their communities through education and outreach during America’s 250th anniversary,” said NCSC President Elizabeth Clement. “This is an important opportunity for state courts to emphasize not just where they came from, but where they are today, and where they are going.”
NCSC has also established a webpage at ncsc.org/america250 that provides off-the-shelf resources like explainer videos, as well as showcasing how state courts are celebrating the anniversary.
A sampling of activities from courts across the country already includes:
• Indiana is partnering with the Indiana Historical Society to offer a traveling oral argument, followed by a museum tour and historical exhibits.
• New Jersey is producing a series of short videos highlighting connections between the New Jersey courts and key figures of the American Revolution.
• North Carolina is featuring an interactive timeline that brings history to life as part of the judicial branch’s Celebration 250 campaign.
• Ohio is offering a dedicated America 250 web page with an events calendar and historical and judicial firsts facts. The court is also offering a Foundational Documents exhibit, and evening tours of the Judicial Center.
• Vermont has established a statewide judicial committee to plan courthouse-based events, and a Supreme Court naturalization ceremony.
NCSC is collecting examples of how courts are planning efforts for this historic celebration. Courts can sahre ideas by completing the online form found online at ncsc.org/america250. The handbook, the latest examples, and additional resources, are also available at ncsc.org/america250.
