25-04-2025
Ohio gearing up for America's 250th birthday
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.
