Independent historical/civic site. Not official and not affiliated with America250, the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission, or the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center.
76

The Spirit of ’76

An independent historical and civic guide to America’s 250th anniversary
Verification

Sources used for this site

These are the core sources used to frame the first version of the site. Add local archives, state America250 commissions, and local historical societies for city-specific pages.

  1. America250 — America’s 250th
    Official overview of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
  2. America250 — About the Commission
    Describes the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission and America250.org, Inc.
  3. GovInfo — Public Law 114-196
    United States Semiquincentennial Commission Act of 2016.
  4. National Archives — Declaration of Independence
    National Archives overview of the Declaration of Independence.
  5. National Archives — Declaration transcript
    Transcription of the Declaration of Independence.
  6. National Archives — Founding Documents
    National Archives description of the Charters of Freedom.
  7. Library of Congress — Declaration primary source guide
    Primary-source guide for research on the Declaration.
  8. Library of Congress — American Revolution classroom materials
    Teacher materials using primary sources.
  9. Ohio History — Archibald Willard and The Spirit of ’76
    Background on Willard’s painting, the 1876 Centennial, and 1976 Bicentennial reuse.
  10. U.S. Capitol Visitor Center — Celebrating 250 Years
    Current 2026 public programming and Spirit of ’76 exhibit.
  11. U.S. Capitol Visitor Center — Spirit of ’76 exhibit
    Exhibit on milestone anniversaries of the Declaration.