This year, we honor the United States of America’s Semiquincentennial – the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
The Ohio Commission for the U.S. Semiquincentennial (also referred to as America 250-Ohio) was formed in 2022. Before that, official planning for the celebrations began in 2016 with the congressional, non-partisan United States Semiquincentennial Commission.
And now, all year long, the Delaware County District Library is hosting exhibits, sharing books, and putting on programs that explore the 250-year history of the United States of America.
The Ohio History Connection has designated a theme for each month of 2026 to celebrate our nation’s story. This February, we have been celebrating “Inventions, Business & Work.” Coming up in March, we’ll have plenty of programs to fit the “Music & Entertainment” theme.
Things kick off Wednesday, March 4, with a presentation of “Camp Delaware” by the Community Arts network at the Liberty Branch Library at 7 p.m. “Camp Delaware” invites audiences on an immersive journey through American history, focusing on the powerful story of the 5th United States Colored Infantry Regiment. This documentary explores the regiment’s formation, mustering, training, and battlefield experiences, centering on Camp Delaware in Delaware, Ohio, where these brave soldiers prepared to fight in the American Civil War.
If you have a tween (ages 8-12) in your life who loves trivia, bring them to Tween Trivia: Great American Entertainers on Thursday, March 12, at 6 p.m. in the Liberty Branch Library. No need to bring a team, just your trivia prowess. Kids will answer questions about singers, actors and social media stars from Ohio, authors/stories from Ohio, and more!
Our youngest library attendees aren’t too little to learn about their nation’s history through a Music and Movement Storytime on Saturday, March 21, at 10:30 a.m. at the Delaware Branch Library. Delaware County District Library staff will guide the storytime learning through Americana songs and stories.
Adults – do you think you know your Hamilton musical trivia? Don’t throw away your shot to join us for trivia night on Monday, March 23, at 7 p.m. at the Delaware Branch Library. Register as a team with your right-hand man, or individually, and blow us all away with your knowledge.
We will be keeping the community up to date with our Semiquincentennial plans at www.delawarelibrary.org/America250. Our informational page will feature the full text of our nation’s founding documents like the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights. It will also be regularly updated with events and activities happening throughout the year, both at DCDL and with our partner organizations.
For this week’s reading recommendations, try one of these titles that celebrate or discuss American achievements in invention, business, & work in celebration of America 250 and our February theme.
• “Titan: The Life of John D. Rockefeller, Sr.” by Ron Chernow. Born the son of a flamboyant, bigamous snake-oil salesman and a pious, straitlaced mother, Rockefeller rose from rustic origins to become the world’s richest man by creating America’s most powerful and feared monopoly, Standard Oil. While providing abundant new evidence of Rockefeller’s misdeeds, Chernow discards the stereotype of the cold-blooded monster to sketch an unforgettably human portrait of a quirky, eccentric original.
• “The Last Days of Night” by Graham Moore. When electric light innovator Thomas Edison sues his only remaining rival for patent infringement, George Westinghouse hires untested Columbia Law School graduate Paul Ravath for a case fraught with lies, betrayals, and deception.
• “Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker” by A’Lelia Perry Bundles. Bundles, a journalist and great-great-granddaughter of Madam C.J. Walker, offers a lively portrait of an American businesswoman. Walker, the first freeborn child of slaves, rose from poverty to establish a successful hair-care business, became one of the wealthiest women in the U.S., and devoted herself to a life of activism and philanthropy toward race and women’s issues.
• “Inventing Joy: Dare to Build a Brave & Creative Life” by Joy Mangano. The visionary entrepreneur and inventor shares an inspirational blueprint for promoting personal success and fulfillment, sharing stories from her childhood, family, and career experiences that illustrate how healthier perspectives can significantly improve one’s life.
• “American Pop” by Snowden Wright. The child of immigrants, Houghton Forster has always wanted more – from his time as a young boy in Mississippi, working twelve-hour days at his father’s drugstore; to the moment he first laid eyes on his future wife, Annabelle Teague, a true Southern belle of aristocratic lineage; to his invention of the delicious fizzy drink that would transform him from tiller boy into the founder of an empire, the Panola Cola Company, and entice a youthful, enterprising nation entering a hopeful new age.
If you have a question that you would like to see answered in this column, mail it to Nicole Fowles, Delaware County District Library, 84 E. Winter St., Delaware, OH 43015, or call us at 740-362-3861. You can also email your questions by visiting the library’s web site at www.delawarelibrary.org or directly to Nicole at [email protected]. No matter how you contact us, we’re always glad you asked!