On Saturday April 18, 2026, the 250th anniversary of the eve of the battles of Lexington and Concord, the DAR hosted two special events:
- America's Birthday Party at DAR Headquarters - This FREE family friendly event took place throughout DAR Headquarters in the morning of the 18th and had many activities geared for children and adults alike. We were so glad to celebrate our nation's birthday with you all.
- DAR Celebrates America 250! A Salute to Women Veterans, featuring Patti LaBelle! - This evening concert took place at DAR Constitution Hall and recognized women veterans and specific organizations that support them, including the vital work of the Military Women's Memorial.
DAR was the first heritage society to formally partner with America250. America250 is the nationwide commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary in 2026 led by the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission. The agreement outlines a number of initiatives developed by the DAR to honor Revolutionary War Patriots, engage youth through contests and educational programming, and support efforts to better tell the story of underrepresented and diverse Patriots who helped to win the American War of Independence.
As a society rooted in service, DAR is specifically involved in America250's America Gives initiative, which is encouraging citizens around the country to give back to their communities by volunteering their time and giving charitable donations to worthy organizations.
The Queen Sofía Spanish Institute is a nonprofit corporation that strives to share the contributions of Spanish-speakers to the United States by showcasing the excellence of the Spanish-speaking world in numerous fields.
QSSI launched the America&Spain250 Initiative to highlight the history between Spain and the United States. As a part of this initiative, and in conjunction with DAR's America250! programming, DAR and QSSI are hosting a two day history symposium in September 2025 entitled Spain and the Birth of American Democracy that will have top scholars, panel discussions, and other events related to the Revolution. Find out more about these important initiatives below!
