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America250 Resources, Programs, and Events

The words America 250

In 2026, the Unit­ed States marks the 250th anniver­sary of the sign­ing of the Dec­la­ra­tion of Inde­pen­dence. We are com­mem­o­rat­ing the two and a half cen­turies since then with pro­grams and resources explor­ing the achieve­ments and chal­lenges that have shaped our democracy.

Here in DeKalb Coun­ty, our com­mu­ni­ty rep­re­sents a cross­roads of nation­al­i­ties, lan­guages, and per­spec­tives. Whether you have lived here for gen­er­a­tions or recent­ly made DeKalb your home, you are part of Amer­i­ca’s story.

We hope these pro­grams and resources spark curios­i­ty and inspire conversation.

Resources

Geor­gia Reads for Amer­i­ca 250 Read­ing List — 25 books on Amer­i­can and Geor­gia his­to­ry and civic lit­er­a­cy, bro­ken down by grade level.

Explor­ing Geor­gia’s Lit­er­ary Her­itage | Amer­i­can Sto­ries: A Read­ing Road Trip — This episode of PBS Books’ Read­ing Road Trip cel­e­brates Georgia’s pow­er­ful influ­ence on Amer­i­can storytelling.

DeKalb His­to­ry Cen­ter — The DeKalb His­to­ry Cen­ter col­lects, pre­serves, and shares the wide-rang­ing sto­ries of the peo­ple and places of DeKalb County.

Geor­gia at the US 250 — A dig­i­tal pub­li­ca­tion by the Geor­gia His­tor­i­cal Soci­ety that pro­vides a win­dow into the state’s lega­cy, iden­ti­ty, and evolv­ing role in America.

PBS Amer­i­ca @ 250 — Inter­ac­tive his­to­ry lessons and games.

Geneal­o­gy Sub­ject Guide — Dis­cov­er data­bas­es and resources at the library to research your ancestors.

Pro­grams and Events

Geor­gia Reads for America250 Read­ing Challenge

Sign up using Beanstack to join read­ers across the state in the Geor­gia Reads for America250 Read­ing Chal­lenge! As you fin­ish books and reach mile­stones, you’ll earn fun dig­i­tal badges.
Lim­it­ed-Edi­tion Geor­gia Reads Library Card

Car­ry a piece of his­to­ry in your pock­et. Pick up the lim­it­ed-edi­tion Geor­gia Reads for America250 library card at your local branch while sup­plies last. Exist­ing card­hold­ers can exchange their card for the new design.
Homeland exhibition logo with the words May 29-July 18 in the Decatur Library 4th Floor Galley
May 29-July 18: HOME v.2 – Home­land Art Exhibition

The sec­ond install­ment of the annu­al ​“HOME” art exhi­bi­tion seeks to inspire con­ver­sa­tion and con­sid­er­a­tion for the chal­lenges we face as a com­mu­ni­ty to ensure access to dig­ni­fied hous­ing options. See gallery hours by click­ing the exhib­it logo.
June 6: Unlock­ing His­to­ry: Juneteenth

Pre­sent­ed by the Nation­al Cen­ter for Civ­il and Human Rights, par­tic­i­pants will use pri­ma­ry sources to unlock a puz­zle box in this inter­ac­tive presentation.
America250 Art Workshop with Ellen Gadberry
June 6th, 10:30 AM
Stone Mountain-Sue Kellogg LibraryFun ActivitiesArts and CraftsSchool Age
Join community art teacher Ellen Gadberry to read Make Meatballs Sing and learn about American artist Corita Kent.
Celebrating Black Music Month
June 6th, 12:00 PM
Stonecrest LibrarySpecial EventsMusical ProgramsInformational ProgramsFun ActivitiesSeniorsAdults
Black Music Month, created by President Jimmy Carter, celebrates the impact of Black artists, composers and songwriters on American culture. Join us for discussions, performances, and demonstrations.
Unlocking History: Juneteenth
June 6th, 2:00 PM
Scott Candler LibraryInformational ProgramsFun ActivitiesTeensAdults
Presented by the National Center for Civil and Human Rights. Use primary sources to unlock a puzzle box in this interactive presentation on the history of Juneteenth.
Celebrate America250 with a Sparkling Bookmark
June 6th, 2:00 PM
Dunwoody LibraryFun ActivitiesArts and CraftsTeensAdults
Celebrate America's 250 birthday by making a bedazzling bookmark or a keychain. You will take home a sparkling craft.
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