In the wake of Donald Trump's Wednesday primetime address to the nation, the president made a video announcement about the America 250 events to commemorate the 250th anniversary of our country's founding.
Not gonna lie — I'm glad we have a former showman as our president. One who knows how to produce visually appealing, well-coordinated, and stunningly produced events for the 250th birthday of the United States of America.
In a video posted to the White House X account, Trump disclosed a new public-private partnership called "Freedom 250." The administration will work with state leaders, companies, and organizations to create events, mini-documentaries, time capsules, and commemorative representations which, as Trump teased, "will renew the patriotism, pride, and pioneering spirit of America, and lay the groundwork of the next 250 years of independence and freedom."
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Trump continued:
In my campaign for president, I pledged to give America the most spectacular birthday party the world has ever seen for America's 250th anniversary on July 4 next year.
Already we've had big celebrations to commemorate the 250th birthdays of the Army, the Navy, and the United States Marines, but there's is much much more to come — we're going to have a good time. As we ring in 2026, Americans across the nation will see the iconic Washington monument illuminated with festive birthday lights to honor the start of this historic anniversary year.
From December 31, 2025, through January 5, 2026, the Washington Monument will be illuminated with those festive lights to mark the beginning of this once-in-a-generation anniversary year. It may be worth a New Year's visit to the nation's capital.
Trump continued, "But all of this is just the beginning: 2026 will be a celebration of America like no other, honoring our nation and all of its glory."
Here's more from Trump on the rundown of events:
America 250 Prayer Event
And next Spring we will host a major prayer event on the National Mall to rededicate our country as, "One Nation Under God." We're not changing that. There are a lot of people who would like to see it; it will never happen.
Memorial Day Parade
The White House Freedom 250 also outlined the events and revealed a partnership between Freedom 250 and the Spirit of America to host a grand Memorial Day parade in remembrance of our fallen soldiers.
UFC Event at the White House
President Trump continued in the video:
And on Flag Day, we will have a one-of-a-kind UFC event here at the White House. It'll be the greatest champion fighters in the world, all fighting that same night. The great Dana White is hosting, and it's going to be something special.
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The Great American State Fair
Trump said:
Then from June 25th to July 4 of next year, we will host a Great American State Fair on the National Mall, featuring pavilions from all 50 states highlighting breathtaking innovations and celebrating America's exceptional history and culture. Frankly, you've never seen anything like it, and you'll never see anything like it again.
The White House Freedom 250 communication lists the dates as June 25 through July 10, 2026. The communication further highlighted a stirring and spectacular July 4 celebration.
The capstone of the 250th anniversary will unfold on Independence Day with Salute to America, a unifying national celebration on the National Mall. Anchored by the Great American State Fair, the event will feature a spectacular flyover by our Nation’s Military, roaring over the Capitol and the Lincoln Memorial. A major address by the President of the United States will precede Salute to America: The Nation’s 250th Birthday Fireworks Celebration — the largest fireworks display in the world, illuminating the Mall in a breathtaking finale.
It's the finale for Independence Day, but not for the America 250 celebrations. Trump declared in the video:
American Patriot Games
In the Fall, we'll host the first-ever Patriot Games. An unprecedented four-day athletic event featuring the greatest high school athletes. One young man and one young woman from each state and territory. But I promise there will be no men playing in women's sports. You're not going to see that. You'll see everything but that.
Trump then announced more construction projects that celebrate America's greatest heroes as well as our greatest architectural achievements.
As I first announced in 2020, we will build the National Garden of American Heroes featuring statues of all-time greatest Americans and we will build a triumphal arc as we celebrate 250 years of American freedom.
And Trump lamented the fact that the nation's capital did not have an arc and why he planned to rectify this oversight.
We are the only major city, we are the only major capital, we are the only major place without a triumphal arc, a beautiful, triumphal arc. One like in Paris, where they have the great, and beautiful arc in Paris. They call it the Arc De Triomphe, and we're going to have one in Washington, D.C. very soon. Construction will start in the very near future.
Trump concluded, "This will be a time like you've never had in your lives — America 250. Thank you, I love you all."
President Trump's full video can be seen below.
WATCH:
America turns 250 🇺🇸🇺🇸
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) December 18, 2025
President Donald J. Trump on Freedom 250 and the 2026 celebration that honors our nation like never before. WATCH: pic.twitter.com/aSaPqQ0U7m
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