250 Years: The Promises and Legacy of the Declaration of Independence

In 2026, we commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. With this document, members of the revolutionary generation set in motion the struggle against political tyranny and in defense of “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” In the years following independence, generations of Americans, inspired by the Declaration, strove to cement the “self-evident truth that all men are created equal” and endowed with certain unalienable rights. The story of that pursuit shaped regions and communities like ours and informed the trajectory of our country and broader world.

 

The Central Region Humanities Center 2026 biennial conference, “250 Years: The Promises and Legacy of the Declaration of Independence,” will facilitate an exploration of the history, meaning, and legacy of the Declaration of Independence. It will also highlight the many ways people and communities in the Ohio Valley and Northwest Territory helped to realize the lofty sentiments articulated in the Declaration of Independence in the 250 years since 1776.

 

Conference events include:

• Concert on the Green and Choral Reading of the Declaration of Independence on Thursday, Sept. 10, 6 p.m., College Green
• A Conversation with Dr. Colleen Shogan, the 17th archivist of the United States, about the importance of the Declaration of Independence as a historical artifact and foundational American text on Friday, Sept. 11, 5pm, Baker University Theater
• Conference presentations and student research posters on Friday, Sept. 11, and Saturday, Sept. 12, Baker University center
• Public Exhibitions and other cultural activities on Sunday, Sept. 13, Richland Park, Southeast Ohio History Center, Alden Library, and other locations.

 

All conference events are free and open to the public. Event parking details will be announced soon.

 

View the Schedule and Presenters

 

The CRHC Biennial Conference 250 Years: The Promises and Legacy of the Declaration of Independence is made possible by a major grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the generous support of the Kennedy Lecture Series, College of Arts and Sciences, Honors Tutorial College, and College of Fine Arts.