In preparation for the 250th anniversary of the United States’ founding, Washington D.C. unveiled a grand light show on Wednesday evening (December 31st) to kick off a year-long nationwide celebration. The exterior walls of the Washington Monument were illuminated with images narrating American history, symbolizing the official start of the 2026 commemorative events.
President Donald Trump had previously promised during his campaign to deliver the “most magnificent birthday party in the world” for America’s 250th anniversary. The lighting ceremony on New Year’s Eve served as the first iconic event reflecting this commitment.
The organizing body, “Freedom 250,” stated that the light projections on the Washington Monument will continue until January 5th, looping every hour for 25 minutes each night, symbolizing “lighting the world’s tallest birthday candle for the nation’s 250th birthday.”
The projections are divided into five main themes, presenting “Discovery,” “Revolution and Independence,” “Westward Expansion,” “Industrial Revolution and 20th Century,” and “Contemporary and Future,” recounting the development of the United States in a narrative way.
The bipartisan organization, America 250, established by Congress in 2016, is responsible for official commemorative activities and will promote off-campus education, oral history collection, and a time capsule project in 2026. Trump-appointed Freedom 250 is in charge of larger-scale annual celebrations and key events.
In a statement, Freedom 250 emphasized that the light show serves as the opening ceremony for a year-long gathering of major celebratory events nationwide, aiming to showcase the “triumph of the American spirit.”
Apart from the activities in Washington, the New Year’s Eve countdown at Times Square in New York also incorporated elements of the USA 250th anniversary. After the traditional midnight crystal ball drop, a second lighting took place at 12:04 AM, displaying the “America250” theme in red, white, and blue on the crystal ball, with approximately 2000 pounds of confetti in matching colors descending from the sky.
An additional special countdown crystal ball drop ceremony is planned for the evening of July 3rd, on the eve of Independence Day.
Even though the American Revolutionary War officially concluded with the signing of the Treaty of Paris on September 3, 1783, the United States declared independence on July 4, 1776, making this date the core of related commemorative events.
During a video speech on December 18th last year, Trump outlined the key events of “Freedom 250.” He mentioned celebrating grand events for the 250th anniversaries of the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps but teased that “the best is yet to come.”
Among them, the “Great American State Fair” will take place at the Washington National Mall from June 25th to July 10th, featuring pavilions from all 50 states and hosting a parade celebrating the “American spirit” to honor fallen heroes.
On Independence Day, July 4th, the National Mall will host the “Salute to America” event, including flyovers of military aircraft, Trump’s speech, and what is touted as the “largest fireworks display globally.”
Additionally, Trump announced that the White House will host the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) on June 14, coinciding with Flag Day and his 80th birthday, marking the first sports event ever held at the White House.
In the fall, the “Patriot Games” will be held for four days, featuring top male and female high school athletes from various states and territories competing together.
The activities planned by Freedom 250 also include the “National Garden of American Heroes,” with a plan to set up 250 statues of American historical figures. The National Endowment for the Arts has been listed as a collaborative unit in Trump’s executive order for the “Celebration of America’s 250th Anniversary.”
Last week, Trump disclosed a new landmark known as the “Triumphal Arch,” which is expected to begin construction within the next two months, aiming to highlight the American legacy and military service spirit. According to Fox News, the architectural design will draw inspiration from the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, with funds for the construction coming from the surplus of the White House banquet hall project.
With the lighting ceremony on New Year’s Eve, the celebration of America’s 250th anniversary is now in full swing, set to unfold throughout 2026, becoming a national celebration spanning history, culture, and politics.