This week kicks off the countdown to a big moment in American history — our country’s 250th birthday on July 4, 2026. Across the nation, people are starting to plan ways to celebrate the Semiquincentennial, marking 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025, actually marked the 250th day before next year’s Fourth of July celebration.
Here in Liberty County, the name alone reminds us what this milestone is all about — Liberty. As the nation gets ready to celebrate, Bluebonnet News would love to hear how readers think our community should mark the occasion. Maybe it’s a local event, a history project, or something simple like displaying flags downtown — whatever ideas you have, we want to hear them. You can make your suggestions on the Bluebonnet News social media pages, through comments on the website, or by emailing editor@bluebonnetnews.com.
If you are old enough, you likely remember when schools offered Civics classes. Students learned how government works, how laws are made, and what it means to be an active citizen. Most schools don’t offer traditional Civics classes anymore (they have been replaced by other government classes), but a lot of people feel that kids — and even many adults — are missing out because of it.
Understanding how the country operates isn’t just something for a test; it’s part of being involved. Freedom takes work, and the more we know, the better we can protect it. That’s why Bluebonnet News is starting a new weekly feature called “Liberty Lessons: The Road to 250.”
Each week, we’ll post a few questions straight from the U.S. naturalization test — the same test new citizens study when they’re preparing to take the Oath of Allegiance — and a few other questions about local history just for fun and to educate readers.
It’s a fun and easy way to brush up on a little U.S. history and government as we count down to America’s big day.
Liberty Lessons: The Road to 250, Week 1
- What is the supreme law of the land in the United States?
- What does the Constitution do?
- What are the first three words of the Constitution?
- What is an amendment?
- What do we call the first 10 amendments to the Constitution?
Answers: 1. The U.S. Constitution; 2. Sets up and defines the government, and protects American’s basic rights; 3. “We the people.”; 4. A change or addition to the U.S. Constitution; 5. The Bill of Rights