North Dakota's Celebration of America's 250th

ND250 offers engaging teacher and student resources designed to help schools explore, celebrate, and bring America’s 250th anniversary to life in the classroom.

From coast to coast, small towns define the character, charm, and community spirit of the United States. America’s Favorite Small Towns, presented by Parade and Steller, is a nationwide competition honoring towns with populations under 250,000 that make our country shine.

Register and submit now for a chance to win national recognition, media spotlight, and a July 4th celebration from Parade and the Steller travel platform.

This contest is open, however, no deadline has been provided.

America’s Field Trip is a nationwide contest that invites students across the country in grades 3–12 to be part of our nation’s 250th anniversary by sharing their perspectives on what America means to them — with the chance to earn an unforgettable field trip experience at some of the nation’s most iconic historic and cultural landmarks.

Students are asked to submit writing or original artwork in response to the contest’s prompt: “What does America mean to you?”

Contest ends on 3/30/26

Held during the week of February 22 to 28, 2026, students take The Impossible Civics Test, an online, timed, electronically proctored multiple-choice exam. Students have 90 minutes to answer up to 4000 randomized civics and founding history questions in three 30-minute sections of increasing difficulty. Answers will be graded on a weighted system that accounts for both the number of correct responses and the difficulty of each question. This serves as the qualifying round, and four finalists from each state are selected. 

A national competition designed to spotlight the next generation of American innovators and entrepreneurs.

America’s Startup is a fast-paced, high-stakes competition inviting college students across the country to pitch bold ideas and early-stage ventures for a shot at funding, mentorship and national recognition.

Students can submit a written proposal and a two-minute pitch video at America250.org during a quick, six-week application window February 15 – March 31, 2026. 

As America prepares to mark its 250th anniversary, WHRO presents Revolution Revisited: America at 250, a chronicle of America's semi-quincentennial through the people, actions, and events that have shaped our country.

North Dakota’s Liberty Bell replica is now on view at the North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum in Bismarck. After being stored in the state museum collections since 2015, the full-size bronze replica now offers visitors a connection to a significant symbol of American independence.