On July 4, 2026, it will be the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. This
anniversary, and the lead up to it, will not only be an opportunity for us to commemorate the founding of our
nation, but also to reflect on the vital significance and relevance of our founding principles. The 250th is not just
about the 13 colonies, it is about the ideals which emerged from the revolution and our ongoing process of
becoming a more perfect union.
In 1775, the year before our independence was declared, significant events signaled the creation of a national
identity and unity of purpose that transcended traditional geographic, cultural, and societal divides. On the
evening of April 18, 1775, with impending hostile action from the British army in Boston, Paul Revere and
William Dawes along with other alarm riders undertook a perilous ride to alert everyone in the countryside of
the coming danger. A prearranged signal was set in the Old North Church steeple to ensure that the message got
out and did not rely on just one or two alarm riders. The two lanterns that were the signal were immortalized in
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s poem Paul Revere’s Ride as “one if by land, and two if by sea” and have
become an enduring symbol of American vigilance, perseverance, and preparedness in the face of adversity.
Those alarm riders and the citizens that answered the call that night and the following day exemplify the spirit
of community and shared responsibility that has defined our nation since its inception. We are reminded, 250
years later, that the call for unity and the call to serve each other is no less relevant today than it was then.
Two Lights for Tomorrow is a nationwide initiative to commence the celebration of the 250th birthday of the United States of America. The famous ride of Paul Revere occurred overnight on April 18 – 19, 1775. Two Lights for Tomorrow originated out of multi-state collaboration at A Common Cause to All in Williamsburg and uses the imagery of that shining light 250 years ago as a uniting call to action today for our fellow citizens, no matter where they are, to commemorate and remind ourselves that our history is about working together for a better tomorrow.
At it’s heart it is a call across the country, in private homes, local communities, and statehouses alike, for two lights to be displayed to remind us all of the importance to come together to form a more perfect union.
At Heritage Village, we will be hanging two LED lanterns in the windows of our buildings on April 18th and hosting a public Earth Day Clean Up event on April 19th.
Everyone can participate! All you have to do is display two lights in your homes, at your visitor centers, your cultural, historical, and community sites, and in your government buildings in April 2025 to raise awareness and draw attention to and commemorate the beginning of our constant endeavor as a nation to work together for a better tomorrow.
More information is available at here.