We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

—Preamble of The Declaration of Independence

July 4, 2026 is no ordinary Independence Day. It’s a milestone one. This weekend marks the 250th anniversary of the adoption of The Declaration of Independence by the Continental Congress. We’re spelling that out because despite the efforts of some, that fact still seems to be catching many people by surprise. While the signatures of 55 delegates were not added to the document for nearly a month after its adoption (and the final signature not affixed until months later), the acceptance of the carefully crafted parchment document 250 years ago this Saturday set in motion the creation of the United States of America after a war that was brutal at times and touched the lives of many. There may not have been a battle in Newtown during the Revolution, but residents were seriously injured or lost their lives in neighboring towns. Newtown also hosted a pivotal movement toward independence. In June 1781, Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau and his troops camped here while en route to join George Washington in New York. The combined forces continued south to Yorktown, where the decisive victory of the war was won.

Fifty years ago this week, Newtown residents had just said farewell to “Rochambeau’s Army,” members of the Waterbury Bicentennial Commission who had camped in town as part of the re-enactment of the 1781 march and encampment. The ambitious project had approximately 50 men representing the 4,000 who had marched through this area along a route that has since become a National Historic Trail.

That event was one of many to observe and celebrate this nation’s Bicentennial. Additionally, the New England Wagon Train spent a few hours parked in front of the middle school on June 9, 1976, one of many stops for a logistically impressive event that had wagons from all parts of the country heading toward Valley Forge. By this time that year, Newtown Bicentennial Committee had also hosted a contest for artists of all ages to create a logo for themed events, special Liberty Bell dog tags were secured by the Office of the Town Clerk, and a Heritage Ball had been celebrated, among other celebratory observances.

Unfortunately, we are not seeing that kind of devotion shown for the Semiquincentennial at local, state, nor even national levels. As with so much of life today, a large part of the low-key approach is financing. Amid significant federal cuts across the board to government staffing and spending, Connecticut received a one-time $100,000 grant for use by America 250 | CT. The statewide commission has for three years been trying to coordinate themed events across the Constitution State and share what it can financially. Commission member and State Historian Andrew Horowitz, PhD, told one media outlet last summer the plan was for community-based commemorations, “rather than doing top-down centralized planning emanating out of Hartford.” The noticeable lack of federal funding has plagued many communities across the country. Earlier this year First Selectman Bruce Walczak cautioned this year’s Semiquincentennial efforts would look decidedly different from the Bicentennial. He was not wrong, unfortunately.

Newtown residents tried to start some momentum last year when they encouraged fellow residents and business owners to place a pair of lanterns in windows on the anniversary of Paul Revere’s legendary midnight ride to warn of the British Army marching toward Lexington and Concord. Four historic locations on Main Street and a pair of private residences within the 60+ square miles that is Newtown participated in Two Lights For Tomorrow.

Newtown Poet Laureate Lauren Clifford launched a personal project in 2025, composing documentary and narrative poems to honor the four Connecticut men who signed The Declaration of Independence, as well as others including women, slaves, indigenous people, and children who impacted Connecticut 250 years ago. Her recent reading at her hometown library drew an audience of one.

A few America 250 flags have appeared in front of Town buildings, a series of events is being offered by the library, and a small Newtown 250 committee continues to hold occasional meetings to check in on plans for additional events. Repeated invitations to join the committee or even let it know of local plans to observe the significant anniversary of the adoption of the document that led to the creation of the country approximately 350 million people currently call home have not been acknowledged.

It’s been a slow start on the local front, but that does not mean enthusiasm can’t grow. As retired Newtown Bee Editor Nancy Crevier stated in a letter to the editor just last week, it may indeed be difficult for many to feel celebratory with so much unrest at the national level. Nevertheless, there are many reasons to remember, acknowledge, and celebrate how and why we found our way here. Legislative Council member Ben Ruben just this week announced he will stand on the front steps of Edmond Town Hall, which for years served as the seat of local government, on Saturday morning, when he will read The Declaration of Independence.

Fireworks and other special events are planned across the state. There are also at least two Semiquincentennial events happening nationally that anyone can participate in. A Nationwide Bell Ringing will occur as each of this country’s four time zones reaches 2:50 pm Saturday. Grab cowbells and handbells, talk your favorite leader of faith into ringing some church bells, play a recording, do something. The National Bell Festival organizers just want everyone to make some noise at 2:50 pm July 4. The second option is Light To Unite. For this Semiquincentennial event, National Flag Foundation is calling on Americans across the country to honor our flag and illuminate cities, towns, and landmarks in red, white, and blue for 8:30 pm Saturday.

Town Historian Ben Cruson will lecture on “Newtown in The American Revolution” next week. He will discuss Robert Thompson and why the life of that Lebanon resident ended in rather dramatic fashion in Newtown in April 1777, among other interesting local stories of that era. C.H. Booth Library, Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary, Newtown Cultural Arts Commission, Newtown Community Center, Newtown Congregational Church, Newtown Parks & Recreation, Newtown Police Department, and other groups all have Semiquincentennial events in upcoming weeks and months. We encourage you to continue reading our pages in print and online, check our calendars, and even monitor the America 250 offerings on the Town of Newtown website (newtown-ct.gov/activities). It's not too late to remember why 2026 is an important year in the life of this country.