Arizona America250 Initiatives

Name: Arizona America250
Address: United States

Explore, Engage, Celebrate Arizona & America

Arizona America250 initiatives are designed to inspire statewide participation and deepen community connections. Through collaborative programs, local storytelling, and dynamic events, we’re reflecting on our shared history as we shape the nation’s future together.

Arizona Initiatives

Ink for Independence Essay Contest

The Arizona Ink for Independence Essay Contest invites students in grades K–12 across Arizona to reflect on America’s 250th anniversary by exploring what it means to be American and how individuals and communities shape the nation’s future. Open to students statewide across all school settings, the contest encourages thoughtful civic reflection through essays. Selected entries will be recognized by the Arizona Secretary of State and the Arizona 250 Commission, with standout essays from each grade division showcased at the State Capitol to elevate student voices as part of Arizona’s America250 commemoration.

Learn More Here

* This essay contest may support Seal of Civics Literacy requirements by encouraging reflection on America’s history, values, and civic identity; students should check with their school or district coordinator to confirm eligibility.

Arizona Heritage Preservation Youth Council

Let’s make history! Applications are now open for the Arizona Heritage Preservation Youth Council! The Council is open to all Arizona 8th-12th graders who have a passion for history and their local community. Come help us plan the future for our past and make a lasting impact on Arizona’s historic places and cultural heritage! Applications are due September 7th,

Apply Now

250 years of Freedom, 30 Years of Honor: Essay Contest

Honoring America’s Veterans High School Essay Competition invites Arizona students in grades 9-12 to reflect on the meaning of service, freedom, and patriotism through original writing. Hosted by Honoring America’s Veterans, the annual contest encourages young people to explore themes connected to our nation’s history and the sacrifices of those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. Winners receive cash prizes, recognition in the Phoenix Veterans Day Parade, and publication opportunities for their essays.

Click Here to Learn More

Arizona America250 Copper Ingots

Forged from Arizona’s state metal, this commemorative ingot reflects a legacy that stretches from historic mining traditions to today.

Created with Desert Lace Studios in Jerome and inspired by Arizona’s contribution to America’s Time Capsule, it honors the people, materials, and stories that define our state.

Stamped with the Arizona America250 logo, designed by young Arizona artist Riley Hammett to capture the state’s story through its iconic Five Cs, this ingot preserves a symbol created by Arizonans for generations of the future.

Order Your Custom Ingot Today!

A warm, desert-themed display shows four Arizona-themed magnets arranged on stacked stone slabs against a sandy, textured background. Each magnet features bold Southwestern designs, including a desert scene with a cactus and sunburst sky, a vintage ticket style, a circular “Grand Canyon State 1776–2026” design, and a colorful piece with rope and the number “48.” Above them, large text reads “ARIZONA 250” with “MAGNET COLLECTION” below. Surrounding the display are natural elements like a tall cactus, desert plants, rocks, and a woven blanket, all lit with soft, warm lighting that emphasizes a rustic, Southwestern atmosphere.

Arizona America250 Magnet Collection

We are proud to partner with Better Magnets for the Arizona America250 Magnet Collection. Each magnet makes Arizona’s story feel right at home.

Bring home a piece of Arizona’s 250

A stylized illustration featuring tall green saguaro cacti painted in watercolor against a textured beige background. At the top left, a blue line-drawn hummingbird hovers near a small red line-drawn desert flower. Over the cacti, bold script text reads ‘Dear America’ in white with a dark blue outline. Below it, smaller block text in red reads ‘Love Arizona.

Dear America, Love Arizona

The Arizona America250 Commission provided postcards to more than 26,000 K-12 students across the state to participate in Dear America, Love Arizona, a student-centered activity that encouraged young people to reflect on what they love about Arizona and their hopes for our nation’s future as we approach America’s 250th anniversary.

Through classroom discussion and creative writing, students shared messages celebrating America and Arizona. These reflections highlight student voices from communities across the state and offer a meaningful snapshot of how the next generation views our shared past, present, and future.

Additionally, more than 15,000 postcards traveled with the Road to 250: Arizona Traveling Museum during the spring of 2026.

See the Project in Person

Selections from the Dear America, Love Arizona postcards are featured in rotating displays at libraries, parks, museums, government buildings, and community spaces statewide as part of Arizona America250 outreach efforts. Look for these displays throughout Arizona!

HER Arizona 250: Heritage, Engagement, Responsibility

HER Arizona 250 is a statewide initiative elevating the civic story of Arizona women as the nation marks its Semiquincentennial. Grounded in the belief that citizenship is carried out through everyday service and community care, the initiative invites women to share how they contribute to their communities and celebrate the vital roles they hold in Arizona today.

Get involved today!

America250 and AZ High School Diplomas

In 1976, America celebrated the Bicentennial of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and one way that schools paid tribute was by adding the United States Bicentennial Logo to graduating seniors’ diplomas. This tribute is being replicated for the Semiquincentennial by adding the America250 logo to diplomas as a memento, keepsake, and neat artifact for students graduating in 2026.

The Arizona Department of Education obtained permission* to use the official America250 logo on public school diplomas. There is also an opportunity to include the Arizona America 250 logo, highlighting Arizona’s role in America’s past, present, and future. The Arizona Department of Education encourages schools to add both logos to high school diplomas for 2026.

School Districts or School Sites Can Request Access by Clicking Here

*Permission of use is only for high school diplomas, to use the America250 logo in any other capacity requires an authorization form.

A Night at the Museum: America 250 Grand Finale New Years Eve Patriotic Celebration

December 31, 2026 @ 6:00 pm – January 1, 2027 @ 12:30 am

Night at the Museum: America 250 Grand Finale is a New Year’s community celebration commemorating the conclusion of America’s 250th Anniversary, hosted at the Commemorative Air Force Museum and the Time Capsule Foundation in Mesa on New Year’s Eve 2026. The event combines history, education, patriotism, aviation heritage, fine dining, live entertainment, and community engagement into a memorable cultural experience. Guests will enjoy museum exhibits, patriotic ceremonies, a live eagle, dancing, dinner, educational presentations, and the ceremonial dedication of the America250/Arizona250 Time Capsule. The celebration is designed to attract visitors from across Arizona while showcasing the Museum as a destination for history, tourism, and civic pride. Together, the event will preserve our generation’s story while inspiring future generations and creating a lasting legacy for our community.

Get Your Tickets Here

Online Civics & Debate Club

The Sandra Day O’Connor Ambassadors Online Civics & Debate Club is a free, extracurricular opportunity for high school students in 9th through 12th grade.

Are you a high school student who wants to stand out on college applications, sharpen your leadership and debate skills, and connect with other ambitious students across the country?

Join a One-of-a-Kind, Totally Free, Online Civics & Debate Club

Ambassador Scholarships

A special opportunity for High School Seniors participating in the O’Connor Institute Ambassadors Civics & Debate Club.

This year, eligible students have the opportunity to be considered for the national John Jay Fetzer Memorial Scholarship, as well as five additional $5,000 scholarships for Arizona students made possible through the Deloitte Foundation Arizona Scholars Program. Both scholarships aim to honor Arizona students selected by the Sandra Day O’Connor Institute for academic achievement, leadership, strong civic knowledge, and excellence in respectful debate.

Explore Scholarship Opportunities

Civics Challenge

The Civics Challenge is for middle and high school students in 6th-12th grades.

Are you a budding cinematographer or songwriter? The Sandra Day O’Connor Institute is proud to invite middle and high school students to use their creativity in the annual Civics Challenge. Students can earn $500 and help their peers learn more about civics through videos and original songs!

Enter the Civics Challenge

Journal of Arizona History

The Journal of Arizona History invites readers to explore Arizona’s past through vivid stories, meaningful connections, and our state’s rich heritage. Published quarterly by the Arizona Historical Society, the journal brings to life everything from early Indigenous histories and frontier communities to statewide milestones and Arizona’s place in broader American stories. As our nation approaches the 250th anniversary of its founding, the journal offers a meaningful way to see how Arizona’s own history intersects with the arc of the American experience through engaging articles, timelines, object spotlights, and explorations of historic places. Whether you are a lifelong Arizonan or simply curious about the Southwest, it is an incredible way to dive into the stories that make this place unique!

Discover Arizona’s Stories

A person holding an open book sits closely beside a smaller individual who is leaning in to look at the pages. The larger individual is wearing a long‑sleeved shirt, and the smaller individual is wearing light‑colored clothing. Both are seated on a soft surface indoors, with neutral walls and soft lighting in the background. The book is held with both hands and appears to have a light green cover with small graphic elements on it.

Read250

In partnership with participating public libraries, Arizonans of all ages are encouraged to read 25 books or 250 minutes in 2026. Readers may receive bookmarks and stickers, while supplies last. This project is supported by the Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records, a division of the Secretary of State, with federal funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Find a Library Near You

A stylized graphic illustration featuring two raised hands. One hand holds a blue rectangular sign with the word VOTE in large orange letters. The hands are rendered in a halftone dot pattern with solid‑colored sleeves in orange and blue. A vertical blue checkmark appears on the left side of the design, and an orange exclamation mark appears near the center. The background is white with clean, modern graphic elements.

Vote250

This program aims to support voter registration efforts, with an exciting goal of having 250 organizations or individuals host voter registration drives by 2026. We provide toolkits with all the information needed. Let’s make history together!

Lead a Voter Registration Drive

What Happened in AZ? With Arizona PBS

What Happened in AZ?

2026 marks 250 years since the founding of the United States. But while British colonists were declaring their independence in the east, what was happening here? Each Friday, Arizona PBS is sharing a peek into the past that shows what life was like here, in what’s now Arizona, at the time of the American Revolution.

Stay Tuned to Learn More About “What Happened in AZ?” Each Week

A scenic desert landscape with a dirt trail winding through dry brush, small shrubs, and several tall saguaro cacti. In the background, sunlit desert mountains rise under a partly cloudy sky. The warm golden light suggests early morning or late afternoon, casting long shadows across the rocky terrain.

Operation Freedom March

To engage military veterans, service members, families, and supporters in the Arizona America250 campaign, we’re proud to partner with the Arizona Trail Association to host “Operation Freedom March,” a year-long initiative commencing on July 4, 2025, and concluding on Independence Day, July 4, 2026. This program invites participants to hike, ride, or horseback ride sections of the Arizona National Scenic Trail, embodying the spirit of service and unity.

Hit the Trail for 250

Multi-State and National Initiatives

9/11 Day

For the 25th anniversary of 9/11, join our movement to generate 1,000,000 good deeds between now and September 11.

Want to volunteer for 9/11 Day? Sign up now the 9/11 Day Meal Pack project at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, AZ.

I Want to Volunteer

A person stands indoors holding a microphone in one hand while gesturing with the other. The individual is wearing a light-colored coat over a ribbed dress and has a lanyard around the neck with a rectangular badge labeled WELLNESS PASS. The background shows a projection screen displaying faint, out-of-focus graphics in soft colors. The setting appears to be a presentation or speaking event.

America's Startup

What’s your winning idea?

America’s greatest innovations often begin as bold ideas—dreamed up in classrooms, garages, labs, and communities across the country. America’s Startup is designed to spotlight, support, and celebrate those ideas at their earliest stages.

America’s Startup is a national competition that celebrates the entrepreneurial spirit driving America’s future. Undergraduate and graduate students from accredited U.S. colleges and universities as well as trade schools are invited to compete for national recognition, mentorship from leading entrepreneurs and investors, the opportunity to pitch live during Pitch Weekend in Washington, D.C., and grant funding to help accelerate their ventures.

Participants submit a proposal and pitch video outlining their business idea, with selected teams advancing through a multi-stage review process that includes a live pitch experience.

America’s Startup gives them the opportunity to take their idea to the next level.

Submissions will be accepted from Monday, August 17, 2026, at 12:01 a.m. EDT through Thursday, October 8, 2026, at 7:59 p.m. EDT.

Submit Your Idea Now

A graphic design featuring a black vinyl record on a bright red background. The record has a blue center label with the text America 250. Curved red, white, and blue ribbon-like stripes sweep diagonally across the background. Below the record, white text reads America’s Soundtrack, with smaller text underneath that reads The Sound of 250 Years. A small red heart icon appears to the right of the title. At the bottom of the graphic is a horizontal audio player bar with standard media control icons, including shuffle, back, play/pause, forward, and playlist buttons.

America's Soundtrack

America’s Soundtrack is a nationwide celebration of the music that tells our story. As part of the broader commemoration leading up to America’s 250th anniversary, this initiative invites Americans to reflect on the songs that have shaped our shared history — anthems that have united us in moments of triumph, comforted us in times of challenge, and defined generations. From timeless classics to contemporary hits, America’s Soundtrack honors the artists, genres, and cultural movements that form the living, breathing soundtrack of our nation.

Stream America’s Soundtrack on YouTube

America Gives

America Gives is an initiative that challenges businesses, non-profits, schools, youth groups, faith-based networks, and organizations of all kinds to commit to increasing their level of volunteering and impact starting on January 1, 2026. Together, we will build on America’s legacy of giving back and inspire a renewed culture of service for years to come.

Make Your Pledge

Find Volunteer Opportunities in Arizona:

JustServe

HandsOn Greater Phoenix

Arizona Lions Clubs

District 5495 Rotary Arizona

Honoring America’s Veterans

Idealist

Points of Light

Our American Story

Our American Story is a storytelling project to collect and preserve our nation’s unique stories. We’re on a historic journey to collect the largest archive of American stories ever created.

This is your opportunity to nominate a living person — a friend, family member, neighbor, or community leader — whose story you think needs to be shared and preserved.

Nominate a Story

A large, oversized American flag made from red and white fabric panels is spread out across a grassy park area. The panels contain handwritten notes or messages. Several individuals are walking or working on the surface of the flag, while others stand or sit in the background near trees, bicycles, and a waterfront visible through the trees. The scene is bright and sunny, with green foliage and open sky.

My America

MY AMERICA is a nationwide, youth-driven art and civic engagement campaign that will honor our past, reflect on our present, and inspire our future. Through artistic expression, civic action, and public commemoration, MY AMERICA will empower young people across all 50 states to reflect on what unity, democracy, and being American means today by creating a large mosaic of an American flag made up of thousands of individual tiles with messages, drawings, poems.

This project is designed for young people, grades K-12. Schools, youth groups, and community organizations across the United States are encouraged to join. Each kit contains the fabric tiles, a pre-paid postage form to return the tiles, and instructions.

Arizona currently leads the country in the number of tiles contributed at 15,893!

Request a FREE Kit

Completed tiles must be received no later than October 1, 2026

A historic-style parchment document of the Declaration of Independence is displayed vertically against a dark blue background. The parchment is aged in appearance, with a warm tan color and darker edges. The heading reads IN CONGRESS, July 4, 1776, followed by dense handwritten text covering most of the page. Signatures appear in several grouped sections at the bottom. Decorative elements around the border of the background include a strip of light blue with dark stars near the top and small red and blue graphic accents along the edges.

Moments that Made US

Moments That Made US is a free, customizable, print-on-demand exhibition exploring the ideals at the heart of the Declaration of Independence through moments in our history that have defined their meaning.

Get Started

The image shows two large cylindrical metal containers positioned indoors on a warehouse or workshop floor. Both containers are painted white and prominently display the text “AMERICA 250” in bold lettering, with a stylized red and blue graphic forming the number “250.” The container in the foreground sits on a wooden pallet and has a smooth surface with small metal fixtures attached to its side. Behind it, a second, slightly taller container stands on a low platform with a metallic base. The surrounding environment includes industrial elements such as pipes, machinery, and shelving in the background, suggesting a manufacturing or storage setting. The lighting is even and bright, highlighting the clean surfaces of the containers and the crisp, patriotic colors of the printed design.

America's Time Capsule

“America’s Time Capsule” has been officially sealed and will be buried at Independence National Historical Park on July 4, 2026, with plans to reopen it in 2276. The capsule includes contributions from all three branches of the U.S. federal government, all 50 states, Washington, DC, five U.S. territories, America250 programs, and national partners, reflecting the people, places, ideas, and innovations shaping the nation at 250 years.

Cultural touchstones, including items from major events and student submissions, help capture a broader portrait of the country. When opened in 2276, it will offer future generations a snapshot of America at this historic moment.

View Arizona’s contributions!

Get In Touch!