Welcome to the Carlsbad USA 250 official home page. You are welcome to come here anytime to learn about various events and educational projects that we will be hosting to celebrate the nation’s semiquincentennial in Carlsbad, California.
The term semiquincentennial (seh-mee-quin-sen-TEN-nial)* refers to the 250th anniversary of the United States since the Declaration of Independence. This will be a year-long celebration that will include various activities events.
This year-long celebration is significant because the nation does not trace its origins to the Articles of Confederation or the ratification of the Constitution, but rather to the moment when representatives declared independence from the British Empire, asserting their ability to self-govern.
Americans did not want to go to war with Britain, knowing that such a declaration would be costly in terms of lives and resources. And as predicted, the resulting war was disastrous. Death, disruption, and financial devastation ensued. Nevertheless, the conflict helped forge a new nation.
This revolution differed from others that occurred throughout history because the aim was to restore rights, not to replace the government. The colonies sought to live as they had, free from British exploitation.
Our Declaration of Independence was rich in ideals, many of which were inspired by British philosopher John Locke’s “Second Treatise on Government,” with sections paraphrased in a more poetic manner in the Declaration.
To learn more, click here. In the meantime, we ask for your patience as we build out the website, recruit volunteers, and schedule all of the items that we are planning. Come back anytime to check status. Among the pages to be added are Contact and Volunteer Sign-Up pages.
*This word can be spelled semiquincentennial or semi-quincentennial. Both are acceptable.
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