True Twice-In-A-lifetime Event!
Author: J. B. Howick, Townsend City Councilman
J. B. Howick Townsend City Councilman There is one thing you're unlikely to experience more than twice in your life: a semicentennial celebration of America's independence! Next year, on July 4, 2026, our nation will celebrate its 250th anniversary. It's my second and final semicentennial celebration, my first being the bicentennial celebration in 1976. I remember the absolutely amazingly embroidered shirt my mother made me for that event. I wish I still had it! I wouldn't fit in it... but I wish I had it.
But for many in our community, next year's Independence Day celebration will be their first---and they won't see another one for fifty years. How will they remember it? How will you?
Congress created the America250 organization over ten years ago to plan for our nation's birthday. It's not just a national celebration. The organization's goal is to foster state and local celebrations, too. That's because America isn't just the land we stand on---it's the people. We, the people, not to be too specific about it. America250 (America250.org) is sponsoring a number of events that include field trips to national monuments for students with exceptional artwork, videos and essays about what America means to them; a multi-year, year-round effort to foster volunteer service; showcasing American culture; a celebration of our local heroes: the people who brought us to where we are today; and a time capsule.
Included in that work is the first successful effort to engage all fifty states and all sixteen U.S. territories in the celebration---including Montana! House Bill 377 (2023) established the Montana 250th Commission (America250MT.org) to organize state-wide events. Those events include the Treasure State's Book Club, the Montana 250 Roadway Sign Project, the Montana History Poster competition and Montana-themed history project for students with cash awards, The Montana Tapestry interpretive exhibit and the Montana Citizenship Challenge.
But what about here in Broadwater County? Must we always travel somewhere else to celebrate our nation's birthday? In this first article discussing topics of public interest and soliciting your advice about what you want for your communities and how you want them governed, I'm asking you about Independence Day, and one in particular. You can send me any comments you wish at JB@Howick.org or you can take this week's survey at https://howick.org/survey. I want to hear what you think!
JB Howick Townsend City Council, Ward 1
