Gov. Gianforte Proclaims Kickoff to America’s 250th Day

Governor's Office

HELENA, Mont. - Governor Greg Gianforte today proclaimed June 27, 2026, as "Kickoff to America's 250th Day" to encourage all Montanans to celebrate the historic milestone for our great nation by reading and reflecting on the Declaration of Independence and its principles in the coming weeks.

"With the 250th birthday of our nation approaching, it's important to reflect on what it means to be an American," Gov. Gianforte said. "Through the Montana 250th Commission, Montanans are able to celebrate patriotism, strengthen their civic engagement, and properly honor this historic anniversary."

In 2023, the Montana Legislature established the Montana 250th Commission to promote civic engagement and increase public awareness of American and Montana government and history leading up to the United States semiquincentennial. On June 27, the commission is holding a celebration to kickoff the week leading up to the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

"During this milestone year, Montanans are coming together to celebrate our nation, reflect on our history, and work together for 'a more perfect union.' The Montana 250 ^th Commission has spent the last two years engaging all Montanans where they are, through events, exhibits, conversations, and partnerships. On Independence Day in particular, I encourage Montanans to take time to read the Declaration of Independence, contemplate its enduring meaning, and heed the advice of President Calvin Coolidge from America's 150 ^th anniversary, to deepen our knowledge of the course of action the Founding Fathers followed so we can 'maintain the great heritage which has been bequeathed to us, " said Chris Averill, chair of the Montana 250th commission.

To learn more about the commission and the event, see here . View the governor's proclamation here and below.

WHEREAS, July 4, 2026, marks the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the birth of the United States of America; and

WHEREAS, the Declaration of Independence states that we are endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable Rights, among them being Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness; and

WHEREAS, Montana was recently recognized as the second most patriotic state in the nation; and

WHEREAS, it is in the interest of all Montanans to have a deeper understanding of the timeless ideals that guided our nation 's founding; and

WHEREAS, the Montana 250th Commission was established by the Montana Legislature in 2023 to "promote civic engagement and increase public awareness of United States and Montana government and history, including the history of tribal nations, leading up to the United States semiquincentennial; " and

WHEREAS, the Commission is holding a celebration in Helena on June 27, 2026, to begin a weeks' long effort to draw attention to the nation's birthday;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Greg Gianforte, Governor of the State of Montana, do hereby proclaim June 27, 2026

Kickoff to America's 250th Day

in Montana and encourage all Montanans to celebrate our nation's 250th birthday by reading and reflecting on the Declaration of Independence and its enduring principles in the coming weeks.

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