by Jorge Gomez • 5 minutes
On Wednesday, First Liberty President & CEO Kelly Shackelford joined the U.S. Department of Education (DoE), the America First Policy Institute and 40+ organizations to announce the launch of the America 250 Civics Education Coalition.
This landmark initiative was launched on Constitution Day, a special day commemorating the document’s signing on Sept. 17, 1787.
As America prepares for its 250th anniversary in July 2026, the Coalition will work to advance a shared understanding of the history, values and ideals that make our country exceptional.
Guided by the motto “Know America. Love America,” the Coalition’s mission is to renew patriotism, strengthen civic literacy, and inspire Americans of all ages to cherish religious liberty and all our founding principles.
“The key to our country’s future is citizens educated to know their freedoms,” Kelly said. “Those who do not know their freedoms will have them taken away. Many have no idea that religious freedom is our ‘First Freedom;’ if you lose that, you will lose all of your freedoms.”
U.S. Sec. of Education Linda McMahon addressed the Coalition saying, “As America approaches 250 years since its founding, we are proud to announce this coalition to ensure every young American understands the beauty of our nation and is equipped with the civic knowledge required to contribute meaningfully to its future.”
“A country cannot survive if its values are forgotten by its people,” she added. “More than ever, we need to restore the vitality of the American spirit, and this coalition will take bold steps to educate, inspire and mobilize youth toward active and informed citizenship.”
Celebrating Our Nation’s Heritage
In recent times, we’ve seen frequent efforts to tear down America’s foundations and longstanding traditions. Many are trying to rewrite our history, while others outright want to discard all that the Constitution, the Declaration of Independence and many more seminal documents represent.
Just last year, a piece in The New York Times called the Constitution “dangerous,” even declaring that “one of the biggest threats to America’s politics might be the country’s founding document.”
There are opponents who despise our Founders, saying the vision of government and society they created in 1776 and 1787 couldn’t possibly be applicable today. Those who make such radical claims are wrong, of course.
The beauty of the American experience and its founding lie precisely in its foresight. The principles the Founders outlined are timeless and transcendent. It’s why, 250 years later, these values continue to guide America to safety, liberty and prosperity. It’s why, despite our imperfections, America continues to be a beacon of hope—a country where people of all faiths and beliefs can peacefully live together.
Hillsdale College President Larry P. Arnn said America is at risk if we forget the Declaration of Independence.
“We’re going to lose our nation if we lose its central idea,” he said. “There’s no more urgent work, no more work dispositive of the future, than to read and celebrate and learn about that document.”
That’s what the Civics Coalition is all about. It’s about celebrating America and making sure the freedoms that generations have fought and died for don’t slip away.
Guiding Our Nation
With oversight from Sec. McMahon and the DoE, the Coalition will spearhead initiatives to engage students, educators and communities nationwide.
The Coalition will unveil a robust programming agenda over the next 12 months, which is expected to include a Fundamental Liberties College Speaker Series, student competitions, teacher summits, a 50-state speaking tour on college campuses, and “The Trail to Independence Tour,” a K-12-focused guide to how each state joined the nation.
To accomplish this important mission, First Liberty is working alongside a diverse group of organizations and allies:
“Together,” said Interim President of the American First Policy Institute Greg Sindelar, “we are building a movement that will ensure the next generation understands America’s founding principles and carries them forward with confidence and pride.”
RELATED NEWS:
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Daily Wire: Trump Education Department Partners With TPUSA, Hillsdale College To Revive Civics Education
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