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LINCOLN — Nebraska is officially gearing up for the nation’s 250th birthday, with state leaders rolling out the state’s America250 logo and launching a new website designed to connect Nebraskans with events leading up to July 4, 2026.
Gov. Jim Pillen announced the kickoff last week alongside First Lady Suzanne Pillen, Lt. Gov. Joe Kelly, members of the Nebraska Semiquincentennial Commission, and representatives of the Daughters of the American Revolution and Sons of the American Revolution.
Pillen also issued a proclamation recognizing Nebraska’s role in the nationwide commemoration of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
“I’m incredibly grateful to be the Governor of the State of Nebraska,” Pillen said. “It is extraordinary people that make this state so great, and we should be incredibly proud and excited to celebrate the 250th anniversary of our nation.”
Daryl Bohac, director of the Nebraska State Historical Society and chairman of the Semiquincentennial Commission, said the newly launched website, america250.nebraska. gov, will serve as an information hub for events across the state.
Bohac said the site will also link to the national calendar at america250.org, which includes events planned across the country, including Nebraska.
“While Nebraska did not exist as a state or territory in 1776, the place that became Nebraska has a rich history of grit and innovation that contributed to what America was to become as it is today,” Bohac said.
In conjunction with the celebration, the Nebraska State Capitol is hosting a Semiquincentennial exhibit featuring the Founders Museum, a collection of more than 80 photos highlighting influential people and key events of the Revolutionary era.
Each photo includes an interactive QR code for additional information. Roxanne Smith of the Capitol Commission said the exhibit is located on the first floor of the Capitol and will be available during public visiting hours.
Smith also noted themed items available for purchase, including a Christmas ornament and coffee mug. The ornament is a reproduction of the Great Seal of the United States as it appears in the Capitol, while the mug features an image of the Declaration of Independence as displayed on the south side of the building. As part of national America250 programming, Breanne Wilton, a social studies education specialist with the Nebraska Department of Education and member of the Semiquincentennial Commission, highlighted a student contest called America’s Field Trip. Wilton said students in grades 3-12 are invited to submit writing or artwork responding to the question, “What does America mean to you?” “A total of 250 students will be awarded a special field trip or a cash prize,” Wilton said. The submission deadline is March 30. More information is available at america250. org. Nebraska’s America250 calendar will also include Memorial Day-related events in Omaha and Lincoln.
Bohac said Patriotic Productions will display what is billed as the world’s largest American flag, an event organized by the nonprofit founded in part by Bill Williams.
The flag will be displayed May 22 at Memorial Park in Omaha and again May 24 at Sandhills Global Event Center in Lincoln. Information and volunteer signups are available at patrioticproductions.org.
