WASHINGTON — Congressman Robert Aderholt joined a bipartisan group of lawmakers Thursday at the birthplace of the nation to mark the 250th birthday of the United States.
Members of Congress celebrated the occasion in Philadelphia, where the Second Continental Congress voted to declare independence from Britain on July 2, 1776. Two days later, the delegates signed the Declaration of Independence.
As part of the America250 Commission, a bipartisan group organizing events for the Semiquincentennial, lawmakers convened for a ceremonial session in Independence Hall just like the delegates did 250 years ago.
“Before there could be a declaration, there had to be a decision,” Aderholt, R-Haleyville, a commission member, said. “That vote, of course, changed the course of history.”
The gathering featured speeches from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle and Democratic Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, reflecting on the nation’s history and looking forward to its future.
“It is my hope that this body, that the Congress of the United States, takes inspiration from the example set by our founders to debate in earnest, work through our differences, but to always remember we are united as Americans,” Shapiro said.
Congress established the Semiquincentennial Commission, known as America 250, a decade ago to plan for celebrations marking the special milestone. The group is a separate entity from Freeedom 250, a group aligned with President Donald Trump, which is putting on separate events such as the Great American State Fair.
Aderholt said it’s important to remember the ideals of the Founding Fathers when they decided to declare independence.
“One of the greatest lessons I’ve learned from this experience is the story of America did not begin with perfection but in the pursuit of it,” Aderholt said of his time serving on the commission. “250 years ago today, we remain the beneficiaries of that radical decision that made a leap of faith by extraordinary leaders who thought to create a nation.”
On Saturday, the commission will reconvene in Philadelphia to bury “America’s Time Capsule,” which features items from each state and territory and all three branches of government. The capsule will be sealed until 2276, 250 years from now.
Alabama’s contribution to the time capsule is five poems written by James Matthew Wilson that reflect on the country’s founding and American values.