Nearly fifty years ago, our nation marked its Bicentennial – a milestone that left a lasting legacy, not just on our country, but on me personally.
As a child, I remember saving every last penny to buy my Bicentennial quarter, which I now carry with me today. I remember being filled with excitement standing alongside my siblings, watching the fireworks on that cloudy July 4, 1976 over the San Francisco Bay. I never felt more proud and privileged that my parents came to this country to pursue a better life for us and pursue our own American Dream. It was a hopeful time for our communities and our great country as we all came together to commemorate 200 years of shared history.
Still, to this day, I remember the mark that represented the Bicentennial, the double-lined five-pointed red and blue star with rounded edges that was vibrant, dynamic, and became a symbol for what our nation stood for. It was everywhere, from postage stamps to t-shirts to space shuttles on Mars.
Historic milestones demand an iconic brand identity, which is why I am pleased to share that America250 is revealing a new look for its Semiquincentennial, the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
The new logo was created in partnership with Chermayeff & Geismar & Haviv, the firm behind that very same Bicentennial logo. This design will be at the heart of our efforts over the next three years and one that I hope will leave a lasting legacy for generations to come as well.
The design’s ribbons are intended to evoke a sense of commemoration, celebration, and purpose while the flowing red, white, and blue ribbons form the number 250 as a single continuous path, representing the unity, cooperation, and harmony we strive for as a country.
As we stand on the verge of our 250th anniversary, it is my goal to bring that same excitement I felt during the Bicentennial to every American from sea to shining sea in hopes that each of us can believe that this is the land of opportunity all over again.
Thank you for being part of this effort.
Sincerely,
Rosie Rios
Chair, America250
America's Field Trip
Engaging students nationwide to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary!
This contest invites students in grades 3–12 to share their perspectives on what America means to them — and earn the opportunity to travel for field trip experiences at some of the nation’s most iconic historic and cultural landmarks.