On July 13, 2026, at the Benson City Council Meeting, Mayor Joe Konrad read a proclamation in support of America's 250th. Has any other cities or the county made proclamations in support of America's 250th?
CELEBRATION
HEADQUARTERS
Cochise County Celebrates
America's 250th
1776 - 2026
Let's enlarge, extend, and amplify this year’s celebrations; encourage civic engagement, service, and historical education; and help each community take part in this once-in-a-generation national celebration!
Join millions of other Americans in celebrating, reflecting, and passing on the legacy of liberty!
We’re compiling all the ways to celebrate America's 250th this year in Cochise County.
Here you'll find resources for individuals and organizations to participate, celebrate, and commemorate: local events, get and share ideas, post a patriotic message of encouragement and support, and more.
The Price of Freedom Is Eternal Vigilance
Sadly, decades of national surveys have shown that civic literacy among adults is severely lacking. Many are calling it a national crisis and placing blame on educational institutions. One survey found political leaders scored worse than the general public.
Regardless, civic responsibility is required for We the People to pass the blessings of liberty on to future generations. Let's make civic education a part of our commemorations this year and celebrate the things that make us strong. Let's be intentional and make this commemoration a little deeper, a little longer, and a little more meaningful!
Liberty Requires a Responsible Informed Citizenry!
Do you realize the risks involved, the prices paid, and the suffering endured by America's founding generation to win liberty? Why did they do it? For posterity - you and I!
There's no better time to learn, relearn, or better learn the history of America's founding documents, to sharpen your communication skills, and to pass the legacy of liberty on to future generations. Join us to strengthen your community, economy, and liberty!
GO BIG for America's 250th!
Demonstrate Your Support For Liberty
IDEAS FOR INDIVIDUALS (families, neighborhoods, etc.)
- Show Your Patriotic Colors: Light up buildings in red, white, and blue; decorate with patriotic themes (eg. flags, bunting); create historical exhibits (eg. posters, timelines, artwork); and wear patriotic apparel all year long.
- Get Everyone Involved: We have contests aimed at getting the whole county involved. Share your personal referral link with friends, neighbors, and community leaders. Earn Cochise Strong Rewards and a place on our Leaderboard.
- Read a Patriotic Book: Examples include David Ramsay’s The History of the American Revolution (1789), Noah Webster’s History of the United States (1832), Lives of the Signers (1848), Wives of the Signers (1912), and The 5000 Year Leap (1981). Join the Cochise Strong Book Club to share reviews of your favorite books and find others.
- Quizzes: Can you fill in the blanks to complete some famous American quotes? Do you know how America’s founding documents limit government to its proper role? (Do you know its proper role?) Participate in America's 250th and test your civic literacy by taking one or more informative quizzes.
- Public Reading and Signing Ceremonies: Read and sign founding documents with family and friends, at public ceremonies, etc.
- Stage Reenactments: Choose significant events in the establishment of our Republic (see the timeline of important dates below). Work with others to put on a show!
- Prayer Meetings: Thank God for His blessings and pray for our country, our state, our county, and our neighbors.
- Organize a Block Party: Bring the best ideas from this year of celebrations to your neighborhood!
IDEAS FOR ORGANIZATIONS (businesses, towns, departments, etc.)
- Raise Public Awareness & Visibility: Include in marketing campaigns to leave a lasting impression. Link to CochiseStrong.org/250th, a one-stop hub for event listings and resources for how people can get involved. Use our media kit for logos, celebratory posters/flyers, and social graphics. Add a badge to websites, letterhead, and signage. Integrate into fairs, parades, concerts, fireworks celebrations, sporting events, cultural festivals, and other public gatherings.
- Mayoral Proclamation or Organizational Resolution: Provide leadership and declare support for the 250th anniversary of our nation’s independence. Renew commitments to our founding principles and unite our communities around our shared ideals.
- Ceremony, Parade, Flag Raising, Bell Ringing, Fireworks: The historic Semiquincentennial is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for every community to expand normal celebrations, honor the Founders who sacrificed for our liberty, reflect on our heritage, and teach civic responsibility to new generations.
- Employee Engagement: Rally the team around this national celebration with campaigns to commemorate the milestone. Ideas include patriotic decorating parties, gifts such as drinkware or apparel, themed office events, civic education such as our Civic Literacy Quizzes, a time capsule for the tricentennial, or creating a volunteer service challenge.
- Emotional Connection: Patriotism creates a natural increase in tourism, local participation, and higher foot traffic in public and retail spaces. People are more likely to engage with themed experiences, keep meaningful merchandise, and remember brands tied to positive moments.
- Patriotic Promotions: Boost your brand by launching limited-edition, themed merchandise, “Made in America” products, $2.50, $250, or $17.76 specials or a 17.76% discount. Engage in community outreach at events and on Cochise Strong forums.
- Beautification Initiatives: Plant “Liberty Trees” as living memorials. Commission a historical marker, plaque, or a local artist-designed commemorative mural that will endure beyond 2026. Clean up a historic cemetery or spruce up Main Street with new American pleated fan flags and bunting to create a beautification legacy.
- Parks, Town Squares, Historic Sites: Celebrate with outdoor challenges linked to 250 or 1776, bring history to life with colonial-themed reenactments, public readings, period music, storytelling, and decorations.
- All-Year Celebration: Emphasize that 2026 is special. Get ideas from the lists above. See the timeline of important dates below and work the milestones into your marketing. Structure campaigns in phases throughout the year.
Timeline of Significant Events and Important Dates
Do You Support America's 250th?
Hang up a celebratory poster/flyer and share graphics online.
Post your patriotic message below!
America 250
On July 13, 2026, at the Benson City Council Meeting, Mayor Joe Konrad read a proclamation in support of America's 250th. Has any other cities or the county made proclamations in support of America's 250th?
I just learned about a book written by Noah Webster called History of the United States and published in 1832. This makes it a primary source for American history - it was written during the lifetime of eyewitnesses who could have disputed it (important since there is so much disputable "history" today). I was told that it is excellent and easy reading and would make a good family read for America's 250th.
The Tombstone Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, will be building, stocking, and dedicating a "Little Free Library" in honor of America 250! The library will be placed at 1984 Exeter Street, Sierra Vista, on 17 October 2026. Once complete it will be stocked with books honoring the founding of our country. Stop by and grab a book to help us celebrate and share our country's history.
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https://tombstone.arizonadar.org/our-activities/ shows the Tombstone Chapter of DAR has also made a number of donations to local libraries and schools. We appreciate the great work you do in historic preservation, education, and patriotism!
Can you say who said this without looking it up? "Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!"
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Patrick Henry
Douglas Mayor Jose Grijalva made a proclamation last week in support of America's 250th encouraging all residents, civic organizations, businesses, and community groups to participate in commemorative activities, educational programs, and celebrations throughout 2026 that recognize this historic event and affirm our unyielding commitment to the freedom and independence of the United States of America.
A proclamation supporting America's 250th was read at Bisbee's Mayor and Council Meeting on Tuesday, June 16, 2026.
Way to make a statement!
On June 7, 1776, Richard Henry Lee introduced a resolution “that these united colonies are and of right ought to be free and independent states." - https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/declaration/how-did-it-happen
Beware the historical revisionists taking advantage of America's 250th to push controversial agendas that run counter to our founding principles - all dressed up in red, white, and blue. They did the same thing during the Bicentennial back in 1976, pushing changes to the Constitution and other radical changes to our form of government.
Local Events Calendar
Benson
Benson is "all in" for America's 250th with events all year long - they even changed the city logo for the occasion! In the fall they will be having a scavenger hunt focused around historical/important things that the valley has to offer along with specific places in Benson.
Benson Public Library
Coloring Contest Celebrating America’s 250th
Deadline: passed
Coloring pages can be download by clicking on the example images.
On July 13, 2026, at the Benson City Council Meeting, Mayor Joe Konrad read a proclamation in support of America's 250th.
*Post events in the forum above and we'll add them here.
Bisbee
A proclamation supporting America's 250th was read at Bisbee's Mayor and Council Meeting on Tuesday, June 16, 2026.
*Post events in the forum above and we'll add them here.
Douglas
Douglas celebrated a successful kickoff to America's 250th and Arizona's 114th statehood anniversary back in February with its "Raulito" Author/Playwright Performance (inspired by the book "Raulito – The First Latino Governor of Arizona"). Douglas events include additional cultural programs incorporating America's 250th themes and highlighting community stories, local heritage, and civic engagement.
Douglas Mayor Jose Grijalva made a proclamation on June 10, 2026, on behalf of the City of Douglas Council, making July 4, 2026, America 250 Anniversary Day in Douglas and encouraging "all residents, civic organizations, businesses, and community groups to participate in commemorative activities, educational programs, and celebrations throughout 2026 that recognize this historic event and affirm our unyielding commitment to the freedom and independence of the United States of America."
*Post events in the forum above and we'll add them here.
Huachuca City
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Sierra Vista
The Tombstone Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution (based in Sierra Vista), installed and dedicated a Patriots of the Revolutionary War America 250! Marker at the Southern Arizona Veterans Memorial Cemetery on November 15, 2025. It can be viewed at 1300 S Buffalo Soldier Trail, Sierra Vista, down by the chapel in the memorial walkway.
The Tombstone Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution
"Little Free Library" building, stocking, and dedicating in honor of America 250!
October 17, 2026, around 12:30 pm
The library will be placed at 1984 Exeter Street, Sierra Vista. Once complete it will be stocked with books honoring the founding of our country. Stop by and grab a book to help us celebrate and share our country's history.
*Post additional events in the forum above and we'll add them here.
Tombstone
Tombstone has gone all out for the 250th! They decorated the town and all of their events this year have the 250th as its theme.
*Post additional events in the forum above and we'll add them here.
Willcox
*Post events in the forum above and we'll add them here.
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