March 2025 Events Newsletter
The Revolutionary Rumble
Your monthly guide to events commemorating Virginia’s key role in the founding of our nation as we approach America’s 250th birthday.
Watch a livestream of the 250th anniversary of Patrick Henry’s electrifying “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death” speech March 23rd from St. John’s Church in Richmond at VA250.org. See details below!
MARCH 1
Hanover County
An Evening Book Talk with Dr. John Ragosta
Award-winning author, lawyer and early American historian Dr. John A. Ragosta discusses his most recent book, “For the People, For the Country: Patrick Henry’s Final Political Battle.” This work centers around Patrick Henry’s role defending the Constitution at the end of his life in 1799.
Fairfax County
Enslavement and Beyond: The Evolving Approaches to African American Archaeological Sites
A day-long symposium on the archaeology of historically African American sites. With topics ranging from food to spirituality, panelists will delve into the work they’re doing today and how that shapes this field in the future.
Loudoun County
Finding Freedom in a Time of Independence: Black Patriots in the Revolutionary War
African American men, free and enslaved, fought in the Continental Army during America’s Revolutionary War, but their roles are not well-known. Historians Marvin-Alonzo Greer and John U. Rees will share stories of courageous service and patriotism, even though independence from Britain did not mean freedom for all.
Richmond
Washington at Wilton: a 250th Anniversary Tea
As Wilton House Museum commemorates the 250th anniversary of George Washington’s visit to Wilton this year, join a tour and tea with Washington and Anne Randolph. This is a family-focused educational program intended to bring Richmond’s Revolutionary history to life.
Stafford County
Watch a barrel trussing demonstration by Marshall Scheetz of Jamestown Cooperage in Williamsburg. Learn about the traditional techniques he utilizes to create historically accurate barrels, buckets, and other products for use at historic sites around the region.
Participate in interactive activities with the 4-H Homesteading Club of Stafford County. These young living historians will be talking to and showing the public some skills in traditional trades. You can even try your hand with their interactive activities too. Take a guided tour of the replica Washington House and warm up from the cold by the fire. Take in the sights, smells, and sounds of the 18th century as you go room to room in the completely interactive recreation of George Washington’s boyhood home.
MARCH 2
Alexandria
Beyond Her Own Four Walls: Women in Preservation
Explore the significant role women have played in the field of historic preservation, particularly through historic house museums. Preserving homes connected with the nation’s past allowed women to enter the public sphere through socially acceptable avenues of domesticity and patriotism. Women used their influence to fight for expanded rights and inclusion in the historical narrative. This presentation by Amanda Roper highlights key individuals, properties, and moments in the history of preservation and ends with a discussion of how the field continues to evolve.
Isle of Wight County
From the site’s pre-colonial existence to the present day, Windsor Castle tells the fascinating history of the development of Smithfield. Join us for this walking tour through history as we explore the house and several of the outbuildings.
Pulaski County
Newbern Founder’s Day Celebration
Join the Wilderness Road Regional Museum for the Annual Founder’s Day Celebration highlighting the Swiss and German settlers and Patriots of the Mountains. The Fincastle Company living history unit will be sharing information of the local soldiers, and Westover Ballet will present cultural dance representing the Swiss, German, and Polish cultures. New this year the Central Appalachian Cherokee (service organization) will add cultural drumming and dance as well.
Join Wilderness Road Regional Museum for a Swiss inspired feast in the 1818 German Barn following the Founder’s Day Celebration. American Culinary Federation Chef Wasky will prepare Swiss Braided Bread, Heritage Pork Zurcher Geshnetzeltes with Rosti, Bunder Nusstorte for dessert and other tasty Swiss items. While enjoying dinner, more history on local Swiss and German Revolutionary War soldiers will be shared along with how New”bern” got its name.
Stafford County
Taste Through Time: Bread Talk
White, wheat, sourdough, rye, pumpernickel? Whichever variety you prefer, you’ll relish a demonstration of fresh baked bread over the fire in Kenmore’s Historic Kitchen. Bread was one of the most important foods of colonial times. Watch an 18th century breadmaking demonstration at our opening weekend rendition of our “Taste Through Time” program.
MARCH 3
Fairfax County
Spring Homeschool Day at Mount Vernon
Homeschooling families are invited to spend the day at Mount Vernon, as they learn about George Washington, the British Empire, and the outbreak of the American Revolution in the spring of 1775. An educator from the Museum of the American Revolution will share how Washington used ribbon sashes and cockades to differentiate between the officer ranks.
Virtual
Red Hill Rediscovered: Patrick Henry’s Liberty or Death Speech 250 Years Later
Join Stephen Wilson of St. John’s Church Foundation as he discusses the events that led to March 23, 1775, a dramatic performance of Patrick Henry’s “Give me liberty or give me death!” speech, and its impact on the American Revolution. This virtual talk will be streamed LIVE on Red Hill’s social media pages.
MARCH 6
Fairfax County
During this one-hour program young learners and their caregivers will explore a picture book, engage with hands-on activities, and investigate the historic area on a modified tour.
MARCH 8
Fairfax County (through December 31)
Patriots Path: A Revolutionary War Encampment at Mount Vernon
What was life like for Continental soldiers and patriots during the Revolutionary War Immerse yourself in the daily life of soldiers, military officers, and the camp followers who travelled with the army as you explore a Revolutionary War encampment. At this hands-on attraction, you can touch the items inside the soldiers’s tents and officer’s tent, wash clothes in the laundry yard, and examine cooking utensils used by camp followers. Musket firing and cooking demonstrations are offered regularly.
Loudoun County
Trafficked to Louisiana: The Untold Story of the People Enslaved at Oak Hill
In 1838, 40 men, women and children were sold from President Monroe’s Oak Hill plantation in Loudoun County. They were trafficked south, along the coast, and up the Mississippi River to Iberville Parish to work on a sugar plantation called Alhambra. Emily Stanfill’s research led her across multiple states and through thousands of documents as she learned the fate of Oak Hill’s enslaved community. She will share her research story and what she has uncovered about the Bakers, Gantts, Harrises, Berrymans, and others.
Patrick County
Round-Table Discussion at the Star Theatre
The Patrick County VA250 Committee invites all history lovers to a round-table discussion to learn about Patrick County’s colonial history from local historians. Panelists will include John Reynolds, B.J. Nolan, and Beverly Woody for this extended Q&A session, with the goal of educating and gaining a general understanding of this area’s role before, during, and after the Revolutionary War. During the conversation, we will also ask for ideas to start planning our semiquincentennial celebrations in 2026.
Portsmouth
Urban Slavery and the Construction of Dry Dock No. 1 at the Gosport Shipyard, Revisited
Dry Dock No. 1 was constructed in the early 1830s and became the first operational dry dock in the Western Hemisphere. Without the use of enslaved labor, the dry dock in Boston would likely have been completed first. Dr. Linda Upham-Bornstein will explore the nuanced and often tension-filled relationship that developed between both free and enslaved Black laborers and their white counterparts in the shipyard.
Prince William County
Learn about the women of Rippon Lodge and the Blackburn family of the 18th century. Tours will focus on primary documentation recently uncovered that tell a more detailed history of the family that built the lodge and were leaders of early Prince William County.
Virtual
This online series illuminates what kinds of food were eaten by different people in colonial Virginia. We’ll be making Charlotte. Every 45-minute class spotlights a dish eaten by one of the following groups: the Mason family; people enslaved at Gunston Hall; the white laborers, shopkeepers, and tenant farmers; and the peoples native to this land. Participants will learn how social class and wealth affected what food people had access to. Kids and adults alike will have a great time learning history while cooking.
York County (through July 27)
“Patrons & Patriots: The Legacy of Nick and Mary Mathews” Special
Celebrate the enduring legacy of the late Nick and Mary Mathews, beloved Yorktown restauranteurs who on the eve of America’s 1976 Bicentennial generously donated the land for the Yorktown Victory Center, now known as the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown. The exhibition will feature the Mathews estate collection that features artifacts and images reflecting their personal lives, professional successes, civic generosity and philanthropy around the world.
MARCH 9
Henrico County
She’s on the Henrico County seal, but what do we really know about her? Many Virginians trace their ancestry to her, but who was she? Learn more about someone who could be considered America’s first First Lady. Our historical presentation will explore the life and times of Matoaka, Pocahontas, Rebecca Rolfe during Women’s History Month.
MARCH 11
Albemarle County
Pursuits of Knowledge: Conversations at Monticello
Smithsonian Directors Dr. Anthea Hartig and Dr. Elizabeth Babcock discuss Women History Makers, part of the ongoing “Pursuits of Knowledge” series featuring programs that explore the past and present to help us think about our modern world. These eclectic offerings include discussions on recent publications, a theatric performance, and a dynamic conversation about the important role that museums play in sharing women’s history.
MARCH 12
Virtual
First Family: George Washington’s Heirs and the Making of America
A virtual conversation with historian and author Cassandra Good as she discusses her latest book, a vivid account of the lives of Washington’s step-grandchildren, the Custises, and their complicated roles in American history. “First Family” explores the interplay of history, class, slavery, and legacy in both the concept of “family” and in the shaping of American identity.
MARCH 13
Fairfax County
Author Lecture with Martha S. Jones: The Trouble of Color
Hear from prize-winning author Martha S. Jones, author of “The Trouble of Color: An American Family Memoir.” Explore the most fundamental matters of identity, belonging, and family as she shares the story of her family’s travels along the color line of the United States.
March 14
Botetourt County
Remembering the Botetourt Resolutions
Celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Botetourt Resolutions. In March 1775, the leaders of Botetourt County issued a bold declaration in support of American independence, predating the Declaration of Independence by more than a year. These resolutions affirmed the county’s commitment to liberty and self-governance, setting a precedent for the revolutionary movement.
King and Queen County (through March 15)
Quilt Show featuring the DAR VA250 Quilt
Explore quilts depicting the history of King and Queen County as well as various quilts provided by members of our quilting guilds.
Richmond
On February 24, 2015, the Virginia Assembly passed House Joint Resolution No. 797 “Designating March 14, in 2015 and in each succeeding year, as a Day of Honor for the Marquis de Lafayette in Virginia.” We will gather once again, for the 11th time at the Virginia State House and expect many dignitaries in attendance including Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin.
MARCH 15
Bedford County
Hands On Woodworking Workshop with Poplar Forest’s Restoration Department
Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest has been meticulously restored back to its Jefferson-era appearance after 40 years of dedicated work by the Poplar Forest Restoration Department. Using tools available to Jefferson’s free and enslaved workman, our skilled craftsmen have restored all the elements of the house so what you see today is what Jefferson would have seen once the house was completed. And now you have the chance to try your hands at the tools used during the restoration. Participants will learn all about the art of historic woodworking.
Charlottesville
WTJU’s Cville Puzzle Hunt is a huge, cerebral puzzle that spools out across downtown Charlottesville. Everyone is invited; it is free to attend. Modeled on the Post Hunt in DC, the 4th annual Cville Puzzle Hunt will take you on a wild afternoon running around trying to untangle five diabolical, large-scale, multimedia puzzles inserted into the urban landscape. This year’s clues are all themed around the American Revolution. The event is whimsical and challenging, and the clues are based around real historical people and themes.
Clarke County
Spring Re-Opening & Grind-Fest
See historic Locke’s Mill in action as we gear up for the grinding season! Explore all three floors of this USDA Certified Organic restored gristmill and learn about the 18th-century technology that still powers the mill today. You’ll have a chance to sample Locke’s Mill grits and baked goods made with our whole-grain flours.
Hanover County
Patrick Henry’s Ride for Liberty
It is March of 1775 at Scotchtown in Hanover and Patrick Henry is contemplating the impactful speech he would soon deliver to the Virginia Convention at St. John’s Church. For the 250th anniversary of this momentous occasion, experience interactive vignettes with living historians as we examine what liberty meant to the people of the 18th century in Hanover County featuring Patrick Henry, members of Henry’s family, and the enslaved individuals who lived and worked at Scotchtown. Join a special panel discussion with Patrick Henry, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and James Lafayette, and be part of the excitement as Mr. Henry mounts his horse and dramatically rides off to Richmond to secure his place in history.
James City County (through March 16)
Make ready for centuries of military history – all in one weekend – at Jamestown Settlement’s time-honored “Military Through the Ages” event. For more than four decades, ancient warriors, knights, sailors and soldiers have descended on museum grounds to present one of the most unique chronological displays of military history. Encounter hundreds of re-enactors depicting armed forces from 500 B.C.E. all the way to modern-day soldiers with the Virginia Army National Guard and explore military encampments and interact with re-enactors to learn how uniforms, weapons and tactics evolved through the centuries.
Westmoreland County
Commemorating the Lives: The Lee Women of Stratford Hall
Learn more about the Lee women of Stratford Hall. Take the Leading Ladies audio tour to hear stories of these women and how they managed life here in the 18th century.
MARCH 16
Fairfax County
During this one-hour program young learners and their caregivers will explore a picture book, engage with hands-on activities, and investigate the historic area on a modified tour.
Isle of Wight County
An overview of the events and the architecture that shaped the development of the courthouse grounds in colonial Virginia. As such, it is an overview of the common building types found on the courthouse grounds across Tidewater Virginia in the eighteenth century and activities that occurred on them during the monthly sessions of the county courts. It will not be a study of specific courthouses and will feature, for example, several images of the Smithfield 1750-era buildings.
MARCH 18
Albemarle
In her new biography about the eldest daughter of James Monroe, author and Highland interpreter Barbara VornDick replaces the limited—and erroneous—historical narrative about Eliza Monroe Hay with a more complete story of her life and the tragic circumstances of her death. VornDick shares her fascinating journey into the realm of historical research and how the discovery of archival documents on both sides of the Atlantic has illuminated new information about Eliza’s life.
MARCH 19
Westmoreland County
Dr. Jacqueline Beatty is an Associate Professor of History at York College of Pennsylvania, where she teaches courses in Early American, Women’s and Gender, and Public History. Her 2023 book “In Dependence: Women and the Patriarchal State in Revolutionary America” explores the ways in which women in Boston, Philadelphia, and Charleston manipulated their legal, social, and economic positions of dependence and turned these constraints into vehicles of female empowerment.
MARCH 20
Fairfax County
Book Talk – “Robert Rogers, Ranger: The Rise & Fall of an American Icon,” by Martin Klotz
Robert Rogers, commander of Rogers’ Rangers during the French and Indian War, was the war’s best-known colonial military hero and, in the ensuing peace, one of the most famous Americans of any description, rivaling Benjamin Franklin in popularity. In contrast to the hide-bound, hierarchical British military establishment, the colonies revered him as an example of a self-made man based on merit. Yet this American icon ultimately alienated his peers, fought as a loyalist in the Revolutionary War, ruined himself financially, and died in obscurity in London, estranged from the country of his birth. Rogers is known today for developing the mystique of the modern Ranger, but what explains his meteoric rise and his long, depressing fall? Author Martin Klotz, a graduate of Yale College and Yale Law School, served as a federal prosecutor, then, in private practice, represented investment professionals in criminal and regulatory investigations of securities trading.
MARCH 21 & 23
Fairfax County
Celebrate the start of spring with afternoon tea at the Mount Vernon Inn Restaurant.
MARCH 22
Campbell County
Liberty or Death: A Conversation with Patrick Henry
This historic occasion will feature a compelling conversation between Patrick Henry’s fifth great-grandson, Patrick Henry Jolly, who will portray the famous revolutionary, and Cody Youngblood, who will portray Patrick Henry Fontaine, Henry’s grandson. Together, they will reflect on Henry’s memory of the speech, its significance to the Revolution, and its enduring impact in the new United States.
Chesapeake
Experience maritime history at the Great Bridge Battlefield & Waterways Museum. Join the historical reenactment group, Brethren of the Coast, as they regale us with maritime history and stories from the Revolutionary War era and beyond.
Fairfax County (through March 23)
Sewing Demonstrations: Reconstructing Historic Clothing
Watch as the yellow silk gown that Martha Washington wore to her wedding to George Washington, as well as the clothing worn by the enslaved people at Mount Vernon, are reconstructed by Kathrin Breitt Brown, Mount Vernon’s historical costumer, and Brooke Welborn of Adventures in Mantua Making.
Join us in the hearth kitchen at Gunston Hall for the ultimate slow food experience as you learn to employ 18th-century cooking techniques and recipes to create period dishes. Use your hearth skills to prepare complex recipes while cooking over an open flame, take a tour of the house and meet other food enthusiasts.
Prince William County
10th Annual Prince William/Manassas History Symposium
Each year local historians explore the many facets of county history through a wide variety of lectures. This day-long program is hosted at the Manassas Museum and also marks the release of the seventh issue of the Journal of Prince William County History.
Portsmouth (through March 23)
A Post Such As Portsmouth-“Liberty to Slaves”
An immersive, interactive, educational, child-friendly, annual spring event commemorating the 1781 British occupation of Portsmouth by the turncoat Benedict Arnold himself. Olde Towne Portsmouth will be brimming with reenactors, interpreters, and the like, as Youth Virginia Regiment hosts this one-of-kind event. Even residents and shop owners dress up (and act up!) for the occasion.
Portsmouth
250 YEARS OF U.S. NAVY HISTORY Speaker Series- Part 1
One of a four-part speaker series on the “Founding of the U.S. Navy” that presents 250 years of U.S. NAVY History. The speaker will be John V. Quarstein, award-winning author, historian, preservationist, and Director Emeritus of the USS Monitor Center.
Richmond
Opening of ‘Give Me Liberty’ Exhibit
The first major 250th show in the nation, ‘Give Me Liberty’ is a signature 5,000 square foot exhibition will be displayed at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture. This exhibition will focus on events throughout the revolutionary period and inspire a deep appreciation for the continental and global forces as well as the individual actions by both iconic and ordinary people that brought about a model of democratic government that would change the world. Immersive multimedia scenes bring significant moments in history to life. Visitors can experience the electrifying atmosphere at St. John’s Church where Patrick Henry delivered his famous speech and see an early tavern and print house where many lively conversations occurred.
Smyth County
The Life & Legacy of Madam Russell
Learn the story of Elizabeth Henry Campbell “Madam” Russell, a prominent Methodist leader in Southwest Virginia in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. She was the sister of famous American patriot Patrick Henry and wife of two Revolutionary War Generals: William Campbell and later William Russell. She is remembered for her unwavering commitment to her faith and her efforts to support the Methodist church and its missionaries. Testaments to her memory include the Madam Russell Methodist Church and Elizabeth Cemetery in Saltville among others.
MARCH 23
Alexandria
Braddock Tars: Common Sailors and the Braddock Expedition
A little known party of 33 Royal Navy sailors marched with Braddock’s army in the 1755 expedition to attack Fort Duquesne that ended as a disastrous failure on the banks of the Monongahela. In “Braddock’s Tars: Common Sailors and the Braddock Expedition,” Kyle Dalton will use their story as a lens to look at the larger picture of common sailors in the British Atlantic World and tell us what we can learn from ordinary people in extraordinary situations.
Northumberland County
Good Wives, Nasty Wenches, and Anxious Patriarchs: Gender, Race, and Power in Colonial Virginia
Dr. Kathleen Brown will examine the origins of racism and slavery in British North America from the perspective of gender. Both a basic social relationship and a model for other social hierarchies, gender helped determine the construction of racial categories and the institution of slavery in Virginia. But the rise of racial slavery also transformed gender relations, including ideals of masculinity.
Richmond (Virtual)
Patrick Henry’s Speech 250th Anniversary Livestream
Step back in time to March 23, 1775! At the Second Virginia Convention, held within the hallowed walls of St. John’s Church in Richmond, Patrick Henry ignited the flames of revolution with his legendary “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death!” speech. His words galvanized the Virginia delegation, leading to a resolution that committed Virginia troops to the Revolutionary War. 250 years later, St. John’s Church and VA250 invite you to witness history come alive at a series of reenactments in the very spot where this pivotal moment unfolded. VA250 will livestream the event at the closest time historians can determine to when Henry made the speech. This event will feature keynote addresses from VA250 National Honorary Chair Carly Fiorina and filmmaker Ken Burns, making his first public appearance to promote his newest and highly anticipated documentary PBS documentary series “The American Revolution” premiering November 16.
Richmond
Patrick Henry Jolly: Liberty or Death
Patrick Henry Jolly, a direct descendant of Patrick Henry, has been performing Patrick Henry’s “Liberty or Death” speech for over 25 years. Come hear his monumental speech at the exact location where Delegate Henry called Virginia to arms on March 23, 1775.
This is a FREE evening program following the SOLD OUT anniversary reenactments.
MARCH 24 – 26
Williamsburg
State planners of the 250th commemoration will convene for the third and final time for “A Common Cause To All.” This event is poised to be the biggest ever, following immediately after the 250th anniversary of Patrick Henry’s “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death!” speech March 23rd. Just like the highly successful first two convenings, the 2025 edition of “A Common Cause To All” will provide an opportunity for state planners and Virginia localities to collaborate on ideas and plans for the semiquincentennial and it will also host a wide array of speakers that will bring their perspectives to these discussions.
MARCH 25
Williamsburg
Preview of Ken Burns’s Upcoming Film, The American Revolution
You are invited to a FREE public preview of filmmaker Ken Burns’ newest and highly anticipated documentary “The American Revolution,” premiering on PBS on November 16. Join Ken Burns and his co-directors Sarah Botstein and David Schmidt on the lawn of the historic Governor’s Palace in Colonial Williamsburg’s Historic Area as he speaks to his latest project prior to previewing excerpts from the film on an outdoor screen.
MARCH 26 – 28
Staunton
VA250 Mobile Museum Experience Visits the Frontier Culture Museum
A hands-on, interactive, and immersive “museum on wheels,” the VA250 Mobile Museum Experience titled “Out of Many, One” is housed in a quad-expandable tractor trailer that is traveling throughout Virginia and beyond. The mobile museum brings key stories of Virginia’s rich history to schools, museums, local events, fairs, and more, highlighting every region of the state.
MARCH 27
Chesterfield County
Give Me Liberty: Virginia & the Forging of a Nation (through May 1)
Explore Virginia’s role in the American Revolution in this exhibit from the Virginia Museum of History & Culture. Discover the people, events, and sites in Virginia that shaped the nation’s fight for liberty and democracy. This exhibit from the Virginia Museum of History and Culture explores Virginia’s complex and inspiring Revolutionary War history, immersing viewers in the pivotal years of 1774–1776.
Prince William County
Prince William Lecture Series: “George Washington and the French & Indian War” by Scott Patchan
George Washington has frequently been criticized for his first military campaign, which sparked the French and Indian War. This backwoods campaign between British and French colonials eventually grew into the Seven Years’ War, a global conflict between these European empires. In 1754 Washington was an ambitious yet inexperienced young officer, eager to carry out his orders and mission on behalf of Virginia and the British kind. While his campaign failed to meet its objectives, Washington experienced his first taste of military command, dealing with situations that ultimately proved beyond his control, and learned lessons that made him into the man who led the Continental Army to victory in the Revolutionary War. Historian Scott Patchan delves deep into Washington’s correspondence to tell the story of his training as an officer.
MARCH 28 – 30
Henrico County
12th Annual Conference of the American Revolution
America’s premier conference on the American Revolution.
MARCH 29
Chesterfield County
Meet Patrick Henry: Go Back in Time
Delegate Patrick Henry tells the story of his life. Learn about Virginia and Revolutionary War history, life and government in colonial Virginia, and Henry’s contributions to government and the Bill of Rights. Witness a portion of Henry’s most famous speech, in which he said, “Give me liberty, or give me death!”
New Kent County
Commemorate James Armistead Lafayette with guest speakers and the unveiling of a new monument depicting the spy of the American Revolution.
Martinsville
The United States Marine Corps 250 NASCAR Race
The Marine Corps Heritage Foundation and Martinsville Speedway are teaming up for the triple-header spring race weekend at the famed short track, honoring the military branch’s 250th anniversary with The United States Marine Corps 250 Xfinity Series race.
Looking Ahead
Two Lights for Tomorrow is a nationwide initiative to commence the celebration of the 250th birthday of the United States of America. The famous ride of Paul Revere occurred overnight April 18 – 19, 1775. Two Lights for Tomorrow originated out of multi-state collaboration at A Common Cause to All in Williamsburg and uses the imagery of that shining light 250 years ago as a uniting call to action today for everyone, no matter where they are. Across the country, in private homes, local communities, and statehouses alike, two lights will be displayed to remind us of the importance of coming together to form a more perfect union.
In Virginia, we’ll light our lanterns from April 11th to April 22nd, coinciding with the 250th anniversary of the Gunpower Incident in Williamsburg. We invite everyone across the state and across the nation to join us in this nationally unifying commemoration. In some states, a day of service will follow the lantern lightings as a reminder that the idea of serving one another has been part of our national identity since that very first day 250 years ago.
