By Art Harman, Senior Vice President – Policy, The Conservative Caucus
Two hundred and fifty years ago, our forefathers mutually pledged “to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor” to sign the Declaration of Independence.
It took five years of war to win our independence, ending with the British surrender at Yorktown. They founded the greatest nation in history — one uniquely dedicated to liberty and to the principle that the individual has inherent rights.
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.”
— THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE, JULY 4, 1776
George Washington reportedly warned that “Government is not reason; it is not eloquence; it is force. Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master.” With that concept in mind, some of those who signed the Declaration of Independence also worked to craft our Constitution into the best in the world — even two and a half centuries later.
Note that our Constitution does not grant rights. It protects God-given, inherent rights from being stolen by the government.
This 250th anniversary is the perfect opportunity to recommit ourselves to defending our liberties — and to passing on their importance to the next generations.
Present-Day Threats
Our independence and our Constitutional liberties are perpetually at risk from Democrat leaders.
They seek to erode them by law and in courts. And by deliberate miseducation in schools, universities and the media, they have made millions believe our Founding and our liberties are evil.
Thankfully the Democrats are not in power for this historic 250th celebration. Had Kamala Harris won with a Congressional majority, the 250th would have been used to show how our Constitution is “irredeemably racist” and must be ‘fixed’ or entirely replaced.
At a minimum, the First and Second Amendments would be changed to read like the “constitution” of the old Soviet Union — which listed “rights” but always had “state security” clauses that meant you had no rights. The Electoral College would also be abolished, leaving only the top dozen liberal cities to decide presidential races.
The Article V Convention Trap
Some conservatives have been lured into supporting an “Article V” Constitutional Convention, which supporters believe would amend the Constitution with perhaps a dozen new amendments. They trust that the Democrats and the radical Left would not seize control and use the convention to gut our rights.
A Democrat supermajority would not miss such a golden opportunity to abolish forever key aspects of our Constitution. Even without a supermajority, they could dominate a convention in enough states to derail conservative amendments and pass anti-liberty ones.
TCC’s sister organization, The Conservative Caucus Foundation, studied how such a convention would in reality be run, and issued a strong warning.
Read & Share the Landmark Article V Warning Paper »
Let’s Celebrate!
This is a great opportunity to better educate your children and students in our founding principles. Have them read or re-read the Declaration, the Constitution and the history of our Founding.
Major Events
- Memorial Day National Observance — May 25, Arlington National Cemetery, VA. Parade and program honoring service members.
- SAIL 250 New Orleans — May 28–June 1, 2026. Tall ships flotilla on the Mississippi.
- Special UFC mixed martial arts event — June 14, at the White House.
- The Great American State Fair — June 25–July 10, National Mall in Washington, D.C. State and territory pavilions, music, performances, rides, exhibits, and “Story of America” displays.
- Teddy Roosevelt Presidential Library Opening — July 1, Medora, ND.
- International Naval Review & Sail 4th / OpSail 2026 — July 4, New York Harbor. Tall ships flotilla and naval review.
- Salute to America 250 Celebration & Fireworks — July 4, National Mall in Washington, D.C. Major programming, entertainment, military honors, and promised to be “the most spectacular fireworks in world history!”
- Special America 250 Fireworks in many cities and towns — July 4.
- Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C. — August 22–23. The first auto race on the National Mall. Most viewing areas will be free. indycar.com
- Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) — nationwide events map and calendar. dar.org
- Washington, D.C.-specific events — DC250.us
- Patriot Games National Competition — Fall 2026. High school athletic events across America, with mentors and prizes.
- Philadelphia 2026 — the birthplace of liberty hosts year-long events: Declaration’s Journey, new galleries, major sports (FIFA World Cup matches, MLB All-Star Game, etc.). visitphilly.com
- State-specific events — America250-Ohio, Texas, and others — plus local July 4 events, often expanded for the historic occasion.
- Freedom Trucks — Mobile Independence Museums touring through states.
- Federal department-specific programs, such as USDA agriculture celebrations and educational tours.
- Across the nation — check your area for a great many local exhibits, reenactments, concerts, fireworks and parades.
For More Details
- america250.org — main calendar and programs.
- whitehouse.gov/freedom250 — White House initiatives.
- Find local events in your state and community to celebrate our independence.
“Don’t miss the opportunities to celebrate our independence — and to educate others.”
Take Action
- Attend America 250 events — celebrate and learn. Go with your family and friends.
- Educate children (and adults) about the importance of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and other Founding documents.
- Promote the 250th on your social media.
- Host a 250th event in your neighborhood, community center, or school — or online.
— Art Harman, Senior Vice President – Policy, The Conservative Caucus
SHARE THIS ANALYSIS
Support Independent Conservative Analysis
Your donation keeps The Conservative Caucus holding government accountable since 1974.
About the author: Art Harman is Senior Vice President – Policy at The Conservative Caucus.
About The Conservative Caucus: Founded in 1974, The Conservative Caucus is a grassroots public policy action organization. Under President Jim Pfaff, the Caucus advances free enterprise, limited government, and traditional values.
Published May 14, 2026 by The Conservative Caucus.
Peter J. Thomas is a veteran conservative political strategist and seasoned policy expert dedicated to upholding the principles of the Constitution and democracy. As a founder and the chairman of the Conservative Caucus, he has played a pivotal role in promoting and shaping the conservative agenda across the nation for over half a century.