America250 joins the nation in observing Martin Luther King Jr. Day. We encourage you to take time to reflect on the legacy of Dr. King, a remarkable American who reshaped the societal contours of this nation in pursuit of fairness and justice. The civil rights movement fought to lift the oppression of Black Americans, but the movement was inclusive of all people. When you think about our mission, which in part is about reflecting on our first 250 years of existence, Martin Luther King Jr. stands out as a permanent icon whose noble mission continues to ripple throughout every aspect of our nation and is bound up in our national destiny.
While Dr. King’s work is unfinished, and it is a sad fact that hate and social injustice persists today, we can reflect on his legacy to energize us and remind us of the work left to do in the spirit of his vision. We should also think about how far we have come as a country in the struggle for equality and the heights we can go in spite of our differences. King’s “Letter from a Birmingham Jail” is a searing call to action that speaks to all of humanity. It contains this powerful and familiar guidance: “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.”
Ultimately, our work at America250 will remind our fellow Americans that one of the greatest things about this country is the people who call it home.
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.