1. United States
2. Fla.
3. Letter

The 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence is a moment that demands more than ceremony. In 1776, the idea that ordinary people could govern themselves was genuinely radical — a break from everything the world had known. That founding promise deserves real, substantive recognition in 2026, not just parades and platitudes. Please make sure this Semiquincentennial is marked with programming and investment that actually engages Americans in the meaning of self-government. Democracy is not self-sustaining. It requires an informed, participating public — and this milestone is a rare opportunity to reinvest in that civic foundation. Use it.