Indiana University Bloomington will recognize the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 2026 through a range of public programs, exhibitions, and educational activities. The university’s America 250 initiative will include new courses, lectures, performances, exhibitions, and community events focused on the Revolutionary War era and the factors that influenced the nation’s founding.
A key feature of the programming is an exhibition at the Lilly Library showcasing one of only 26 surviving copies of the Dunlap Broadside—the first printed version of the Declaration—produced on July 4, 1776. Indiana University owns one of three such copies located west of the Allegheny Mountains. The exhibition will also display first-edition works from that period, letters from Founding Fathers, and rare books that contributed to shaping the Declaration.
“Through America 250 programming, IU Bloomington is bringing its scholarship, collections and creative work into conversation with communities across the state, creating opportunities to learn from the past and explore the meaning and continuing importance of the Declaration of Independence,” said IU Bloomington Chancellor David Reingold. “We’re proud to commemorate the anniversary and to engage our students, area school children and our fellow citizens in thinking about the founding principles of the United States and the great experiment in self-government the Declaration launched.”
Events tied to America 250 will involve multiple schools within IU Bloomington. The College of Arts and Sciences will offer two new courses related to the anniversary and host events such as a statewide debate tournament for students at different levels as well as public panels. The Jacobs School of Music plans several performances celebrating American music.
The Eskenazi Museum of Art will organize tours for K-12 students examining art that reflects American history and democratic values. This includes viewing a portrait of George Washington by Gilbert Stuart from 1796. Additionally, IU Auditorium will provide tours featuring Thomas Hart Benton’s murals depicting Indiana’s social and industrial history.
Faculty and student grants have been awarded for projects aimed at deepening understanding about both the context in which the Declaration was written and those involved in its creation. These interdisciplinary projects are expected to result in public talks, discussions, educational events, exhibitions, interactive activities such as a quiz bowl on topics from 1776, as well as explorations into subjects like espionage during the Revolutionary War or citizenship responsibilities.
Indiana University Bloomington serves as a public research institution established in 1820. It features limestone architecture on its historic campus and contributes significantly to Indiana’s economy. The university draws students from all U.S. states and more than 150 countries and maintains a diverse academic community. It emphasizes research, creativity, innovation and plays a central role in higher education within Indiana.
More information about upcoming America 250 events can be found on IU’s dedicated website.
