Interior Secretary Doug Burgum expressed his hope that the commemoration of the United States’s 250th anniversary will help its citizens “come together.”
Burgum appeared on ABC News’s Good Morning America to preview the celebrations that began on the first of the year on Thursday. Already, the Washington Monument, among the country’s national parks, has begun displaying a projected video on its walls about former President Theodore Roosevelt. This video will play at the top of every hour starting at 7 a.m. every day until Jan. 5. Burgum explained his mission behind America 250 events at over 60 National Parks.
“When we think about the 250, it’s a chance for America to think about unity and our future,” Burgum said. “This is a chance for America to come together, understand our shared values, and drive our future even further. As we always do, make it better for the next generation than we have for ourselves.”
Fourth of July events will be coordinated by Freedom 250, a nonpartisan organization, in partnership with the National Park Foundation.
President Donald Trump revealed another event slated for July 4, 2026, last month in announcing the first-ever Patriot Games. One male and one female competitor from each state are expected to compete.
The Patriot Games come after Trump teased a UFC event at the White House, a National Garden of Heroes, and a Great American State Fair on the National Mall, featuring pavilions from all 50 states, from June 25 to July 10.
The largest private sector partnership with the National Parks will go toward a digital library in Theodore Roosevelt National Park, according to Burgum. A $450 million presidential digital library will be opening there with an expected opening date of July 1.
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“Kicking off July 1 honoring the legacy of Theodore Roosevelt, his leadership, citizenship, and his conservation,” Burgum said. “That library is going to challenge anyone that visits it, how are they going to get in the arena to help make our next 250 years even better.”
Freedom 250 started a YouTube channel last month to share video updates of what the celebrations in the district will look like.