Liberty Memorial Building to shine as part of national 'Two Lights for Tomorrow' event

On the evening of Friday, April 18, the Liberty Memorial Building at the North Dakota Capitol grounds will shine with two symbolic lights in recognition of the "Two Lights for Tomorrow" nationwide initiative. States will commemorate the 250th anniversary of Paul Revere’s legendary ride warning patriots of a British advance on Concord. This event is part the countdown to the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 2026. 

“The State’s participation is a reminder that North Dakotans are part of a much larger story that continues to shape our national identity,” said Bill Peterson, chair of the North Dakota250 Commission and director of the State Historical Society of North Dakota. 

Inspired by the lanterns hung in Boston’s Old North Church in 1775, “Two Lights for Tomorrow” invites government offices, households, and businesses across the country to display two lights in windows throughout the night of April 18. Participants can share photos on social media using #TwoLightsForTomorrow.

The Liberty Memorial Building was built as a tribute to North Dakotans who served in World War I, embodying the same spirit of commitment to freedom represented by Revere’s ride. As the oldest building on the state Capitol grounds, the Liberty Memorial Building bridges the past and present, serving as a symbol of continuity in the American story. 

For more information, contact North Dakota250 Coordinator Melissa Klocke-Joyce, 701.328.6073 or melissaklocke@nd.gov. As set forth in North Dakota Century Code, the North Dakota250 Commission was created within the State Historical Society of North Dakota to promote North Dakota observances and activities commemorating the nation’s 250th birthday.