For America’s 250th anniversary, USC Dornsife scholars lead commemorative initiatives

The 250th anniversary of the United States’ founding is less than two years away. As plans to commemorate the “semiquincentennial” unfold, the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences is taking a leading role in shaping public understanding of the nation’s history and its future.

The USC-Huntington Early Modern Studies Institute (EMSI) based at USC Dornsife has received $500,000 in funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) to spearhead an ambitious educational project.

In addition, Natalia Molina, Distinguished Professor of American Studies and Ethnicity and Dean’s Professor of American Studies and Ethnicity, has been appointed to a prestigious advisory group tasked with highlighting the most significant historical records for the anniversary.

NEH-funded initiative: Bringing history to the public

The NEH grant awarded to EMSI will fund “LA2026,” an expansive project that aims to foster meaningful public dialogue around the anniversary from a uniquely Southern Californian perspective.

Led by EMSI in collaboration with major cultural institutions — including the Autry Museum of the American West, the Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens, and the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County — the project will include a series of public forums that reflect on the museum’s exhibitions across the greater Los Angeles area over the next two years. These events will explore topics such as democracy, national identity, and underrepresented voices in history, providing opportunities for public engagement through in-person discussions and multimedia presentations.

LA2026 aims to encourage a deeper understanding of the diverse narratives that contribute to the American story — emphasizing California and the broader Western region’s role during and after 1776. The project also aligns with NEH initiatives to inspire public conversations on critical issues such as climate change, national unity and social equity.

EMSI is a partnership between USC Dornsife and the Huntington Library, dedicated to the study of early modern history and culture. It was founded by USC Dornsife’s Peter Mancall, who is the Linda and Harlan Martens Director of EMSI as well as Distinguished Professor of History, Anthropology, and Economics and Andrew W. Mellon Professor of the Humanities. He will lead LA2026 with Amy Braden, EMSI’s director of programs.

Natalia Molina appointed to National Archive’s Historical Advisory Group

The National Archives, in partnership with the National Archives Foundation and the More Perfect initiative, launched a parallel effort to mark the nation’s semiquincentennial called “100 for the 250th,” naming Molina to the initiative’s Historical Advisory Group.

Co-chaired by filmmaker Ken Burns, former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, and Archivist of the United States Colleen J. Shogan, this group of leading historians, political scientists and theorists will work to identify the 100 most significant original records from the National Archives’ holdings. The public will be invited to rank the selected documents in order of significance to “create dialogue about the value of records and the most important moments in our nation’s past,” says Shogan.

Molina is a leading scholar of race, migration and urban history, focusing extensively on the history of marginalized communities in Southern California. She will support the group in selecting records that reflect the breadth and complexity of the American experience.

A broader commitment to civic learning

“We’re proud our scholars are at the forefront of efforts to bring our nation’s complex history to life,” said Rebecca Lemon, divisional dean for the humanities at USC Dornsife. “Through transformative initiatives like LA2026 and the invaluable contributions of scholars like Professor Molina in the 100 for the 250th advisory group, we are not only celebrating the wide and diverse variety of narratives of America’s past but also inspiring future generations to engage deeply with our shared heritage.”