In 2026, the United States marks 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the beginning of the American experiment in self-government.
This milestone invites both celebration and reflection. It is an opportunity to examine the nation’s founding ideals, reckon with its contradictions, and consider how the promise of democracy can be strengthened for the next 250 years.
At UVA, this work is a cross-Grounds effort, with the Karsh Institute of Democracy playing a leading role. Through public events, research initiatives, and storytelling projects, the Institute connects the principles that shaped the nation’s founding to the challenges of today. Working alongside scholars, students, practitioners, and communities, the Karsh Institute is helping to reimagine how democracy can thrive for generations to come.
Events
Stay connected to be the first to learn about new Karsh Institute events exploring the 250th.
Upcoming Events
Religion
What is the role of religion in public life and how has religious thought given shape to American democracy and religious freedom? Jerome Copulsky (Georgetown University) and Adam Jortner (Auburn University) will discuss their new books in a conversation with Nichole Flores (UVA Religion).
Home
As the British occupied cities from Boston to Savannah during the American Revolution, how did the household become a crucial zone of meaning and transformation? Lauren Duval (Karsh Institute fellow) will discuss her new book with Jane Kamensky (Monticello).
Indigenous Democratic Traditions: Arts Workshop
Learn the traditional craft ways of gourd painting, through this hands-on workshop with Deborah Wilkinson.
Indigenous Democratic Traditions: Before America’s 250th & Beyond
Explore the foundations and futures of tribal governance and how they have contributed—and continue to contribute—to the broader democratic landscape of the United States.
Taxes
How have debates over taxation shaped American history and its democracy? Vanessa Williamson (Brookings) discusses her new book with Justene Hill Edwards, UVA associate professor of history.
Past Events
A Conversation with Dr. Cornel West & Dr. Robert P. George
The University kicks off the UVA250 Presents series with a powerful conversation on civic friendship, intellectual humility, and truth-seeking across political divides.
web.cvent.com
Art
The American Revolution was fought not just with muskets but also through works of art that articulated revolutionary ideals. Zara Anishanslin (University of Delaware) will join Douglas Fordham (UVA Art) to discuss her book "The Painter’s Fire: A Forgotten History of the Artists Who Championed the American Revolution."
America
How has the history of the United States been shaped by its relationship with Latin American nations? Pulitzer Prize–winning author Greg Grandin (Yale University) will discuss his new book, "America, América: A New History of the New World" with Anne Garland Mahler (UVA Spanish).
Democracy360
A vibrant exploration of democracy from every angle. The free three-day event brought together thought leaders, journalists, policymakers, scholars, activists, artists, and students in Charlottesville, VA, to imagine how we can collectively shape a thriving democratic future. Learn more and watch featured sessions.
karshinstitute.virginia.edu
Law
How can the U.S. Constitution chart a path to repairing political divisions? Yuval Levin (AEI) joins UVA Law professor Mila Versteeg to discuss his book "American Covenant: How the Constitution Unified Our Nation—and Could Again."
Karsh Institute 250th Initiatives
Democracy360
The Karsh Institute’s Democracy360 launched UVA’s semiquincentennial commemoration with three days of bold ideas, public conversations, and visionary thinking. The October 2025 gathering brought thousands together to explore democracy from every angle. Leaders, journalists, scholars, artists, policymakers, and students asked a central question: How do we shape a thriving democratic future together?
50 Constitutions
The 50 Constitutions project is a landmark initiative to digitize and document the full history of every state constitution, many for the first time in an accessible public format.
Led by the State Democracy Research Initiative at the University of Wisconsin Law School, in partnership with the Karsh Institute and the Karsh Center for Law and Democracy at UVA Law, the project provides a comprehensive resource for policymakers, educators, journalists, and citizens. State constitutions have long been engines of democratic innovation, and this project reveals how their rights, responsibilities, and governing structures have evolved over time.
“A More Perfect Union” PBS Special
Karsh Institute Executive Director Melody Barnes co-hosted A More Perfect Union: Inspiring Civic & Civil Conversations Across America, on PBS after Ken Burns’ The American Revolution. The special features Barnes and National Constitution Center President Jeffrey Rosen in conversation with filmmakers Burns and Sarah Botstein, and AEI’s Yuval Levin, exploring the enduring meaning of our founding values. The program is part of PBS’s “America @ 250” programming.
A Nation at 250: Virginia Student Oratory Contest
On April 10, 2026, the Karsh Institute, UVA Office of the President, VA250, and Virginia Museum of History and Culture are hosting a statewide collegiate oratory contest in honor of the 250th anniversary. The competition is open to students from all two- and four-year colleges and universities across Virginia (apply by March 13, 2026). The winning orator has the chance to be a featured speaker at an event in Williamsburg on July 4 that celebrates the Semiquincentennial.
This initiative celebrates the long American tradition of civic speech, argument, and public reasoning.
Defining Moments in American Democracy
The Karsh Institute’s “Defining Moments in American Democracy” campaign is a yearlong multimedia storytelling project celebrating the 250th anniversary. This ongoing series features voices from across UVA—including students, faculty, staff, and alumni—and elevates perspectives from external partners and national leaders who are shaping and studying American democracy today. Together, they reflect on pivotal moments that define 250 years of the American journey.
Stay connected with the campaign on the Karsh Institute’s social media channels (@uvademocracy on Instagram, X, Facebook, and YouTube), and sign up to receive our newsletter, "The Democracy Brief," for updates throughout the anniversary year.
David and Linda Gibson Postdoctoral Fellows in Democracy
From 2024 to 2026, the Karsh Institute is hosting Gibson Postdoctoral Fellows Lauren Duval and Iris de Rode, both specialists in the history of the American Revolution. Their work supports public programming related to the semiquincentennial.
Iris de Rode
David and Linda Gibson Postdoctoral Fellow in Democracy, UVA's Karsh Institute of Democracy
Lauren Duval
David and Linda Gibson Postdoctoral Fellow in Democracy, UVA's Karsh Institute of Democracy
Assistant Professor of History, University of Oklahoma
‘Touchstones of Democracy’ Event Series
Hosted by the Karsh Institute’s John L. Nau III History & Principles of Democracy Lab, the “Touchstones of Democracy” series examines the ideas, events, places, and texts that define democratic life. During the 2025–26 academic year, the series focuses on themes connected to the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. This series is produced by the Karsh Institute in partnership with UVA’s College and Graduate School of Arts & Sciences.
VA250 Education Steering Committee
Karsh Institute Program Director Stefanie Georgakis Abbott represents UVA on the VA250 Education Steering Committee and chairs its Celebrating Democracy subcommittee. In this role, she helps shape statewide educational initiatives and supports efforts that connect Virginia communities to the history and future of American democracy.
Featured News and Commentary
'A More Perfect Union,' a New PBS Special, To Premiere on Nov. 24
Recorded at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, "A More Perfect Union" features filmmakers Ken Burns and Sarah Botstein and AEI’s Yuval Levin in conversation with co-moderators Jeffrey Rosen of the National Constitution Center and Melody Barnes of the Karsh Institute of Democracy.
www.pbs.org
Two Organizations Are Leading a Charge for Local Civic Engagement
Events like Democracy360 are essential for putting together the pieces of the collective American future. “Almost everything we hold to be true now was once an offensive idea held by the minority,” says panelist Sarah Isgur. “If we can’t teach the next generation how to debate ideas, this experiment will fail regardless of anything else we do.”
c-ville.com
Watch Live: A special edition of Washington Week with The Atlantic from @D360
Watch a special edition of Washington Week presented as part of the Democracy 360 event hosted by the Karsh Institute of Democracy at the University of Virginia.
www.pbs.org
University of Virginia: America’s 250th
The University of Virginia is honoring the milestone with events and programs throughout the year. Check out the UVA Events Calendar for the latest details about happenings across Grounds.