July 4, 2026, is the United States’ semiquincentennial, the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. It was a pivotal moment not only in American history but in the global history of democracy.
At WCLS, we’re commemorating this milestone holiday the way we know best: with lots and lots of books! So fire up the grill, hand out the sparklers, and read all about the people, places and stories that have created our national identity, from 1776 to 2026.
STORY OF THE UNITED STATES | FOUNDING DOCUMENTS | INDIGENOUS AMERICA | ROAD TRIP USA | THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION | GREAT AMERICAN NOVELS
Commemorate America’s 250th birthday with books about our nation’s history, heroes, and culture.
July 4, 2026 is the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Learn more about the Declaration, the U.S. Constitution, and other foundational documents with books that provide historical and philosophical context.
From pre-colonial democracies to contemporary struggles for sovereignty, the history of Native Americans is the history of America.
What’s more quintessentially American than a cross-country road trip? Experience America the Beautiful with travel memoirs and USA travel guides.
The seeds for our country’s foundational documents were planted during a tumultuous time of American History: the Revolutionary War. Learn about the people, battles, and ideas that contributed to America’s founding.
Throughout our history, the American experience has always shaped, and been shaped by, literature. While it’s almost impossible to list every influential work by American authors, this selection represents the range of perspectives, voices and ideas that make up our nation’s rich literary history.