West Virginia joins the rest of the nation in marking the Semiquincentennial of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
On July 4, the United States will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The occasion will serve not only as a moment to reflect on our nation’s past, but also as an opportunity to honor the contributions of all Americans and look ahead toward the future.
“Taking time to celebrate our nation’s 250th anniversary reminds us of the principles that have guided America since its founding,” U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, said. “It’s a moment to reflect on how far we’ve come and honor those who built our country.”
As part of this historic milestone, America250 celebrations are planned throughout the year across the country, including a number of activities and events in West Virginia.
“I’m excited about the local commemorations, whether it be the community festivals and historical exhibits or the educational programs highlighting West Virginians’ role in America’s story,” Capito said. “Our state’s arts, cultural, veterans and heritage organizations are stepping up in big ways, and I’m proud to see West Virginians embracing the opportunity to celebrate our past and our future.”
The West Virginia Chamber of Commerce is proud to join in the celebration through activities that commemorate the historic occasion and what it means for American business, innovation and the enduring spirit of enterprise.
“America250 is a wonderful opportunity to think deeply about the great cause of the American Revolution and the immortal words of the Declaration of Independence,” Steve Roberts, president of the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce, said. “‘All men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights’ is a phrase filled with hope and aspiration. That sentence set in motion a series of events that have led to liberty and freedom for unnumbered multitudes throughout the world. The work is not finished, but humankind is in a much better place because of the brilliance of the Declaration and the sacrifices that were made to move it toward reality.”
West Virginia is on the forefront of the national celebration as Capito is a member of the United States Semiquincentennial Commission, appointed in 2024 by U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell.
“Serving on this commission is a tremendous honor,” Capito said. “As an educator and public servant, I’ve dedicated a significant portion of my life to teaching Americans about our founding, firmly believing that understanding where we come from is crucial to how we chart the course for our future. This appointment offers an opportunity to partner with organizations at the state and local levels to include the efforts being planned in West Virginia and work to celebrate our country.”
As a commissioner, Capito will assist in orchestrating what will be the largest commemoration in American history, while ensuring that West Virginia is well represented in the celebrations.
“My role on the America250 commission allows me to highlight West Virginia’s unique history, culture and contributions to our country,” Capito said. “It ensures our state has a strong voice in national planning and that West Virginians are engaged in the programs and storytelling that will shape America250 celebrations across our country.”
Though West Virginia did not become a state until 1863, Roberts said the state has more Revolutionary history than some might think.
“From the 1774 Battle of Point Pleasant to the end of the Revolution, our land was part of the great conflict,” Roberts said. “West Virginia was a center of Revolutionary-era activity, from the Eastern Panhandle and Mason County, where members of George Washington’s family settled, to the Kanawha Valley, long associated with Daniel Boone, and on to Wheeling and Fort Henry. And in Greenbrier County, Lewisburg was established and Arbuckle’s Fort was built.”
During the year, the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce is highlighting these and other Revolutionary events and sites, encouraging residents of the Mountain State to explore and appreciate West Virginia’s role in what Roberts described as “our nation’s quest for liberty and justice for all.” The Semiquincentennial will also play a yet-to-be-announced prominent role in the West Virginia Chamber’s Annual Meeting & Business Summit in September.
“We look forward to welcoming guests from other nations and showcasing the important role of our state in supporting the great cause, as Benjamin Franklin said, of all mankind,” Roberts said.
Among the Chamber’s messages marking the occasion is the motto, “Built for freedom. Driven by free enterprise.” The phrase acknowledges the influence of the Declaration of Independence in shaping a nation defined by opportunity.
“The signing of the Declaration of Independence affirmed the right to chart one’s own path — a principle that laid the foundation for American entrepreneurship,” Capito said. “It represents the belief that free people can innovate, build and create prosperity. This is the same spirit that drives our economy today and powers the future.”
For more information on Semiquincentennial celebrations planned across West Virginia, visit wvtourism.com/america250 or wvchamber.com. For more information about national activities, visit america250.org.
Angela Henderson-Bentley is a freelance writer living in South Shore, Kentucky.