Let the festivities begin!
As we kick off America’s Semiquincentennial, Founding Forward and the Union League will jointly host the annual Lincoln Day celebration on February 12. Though the luncheon for this event is sold out, members are still welcome to join for the pre- and post-lunch festivities (pre-lunch: reading of the Gettysburg Address from the Broad Street portico, post-lunch: parade to Independence Hall).
We will also share the day on social media!
In this issue:
Applications open for summer student programs
2026 Liberty Leaders
An exciting speaker program line-up
Celebrating America’s 250th through our programs
A diverse offering of teacher seminars
Thank you for your support
Celebrating America’s 250th through our programs
As part of the celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, Founding Forward joins the Union League’s 250th Committee to deliver engaging, educational programming that celebrates America’s Semiquincentennial, honors the Union League’ and President Abraham Lincoln, and reaffirms our commitment to the American dream — while honoring our past, celebrating our present, and inspiring the future.
Check out some of our event and program highlights that have a special focus on America’s 250th:
- February 3: Library Hour: The American Revolution and the Fate of the World with Dr. Richard Bell
- February 18: Library Hour: John Dickson and the Birth of American Identity with Jane Calvert
- In preparation for America’s 250th, Founding Forward commissioned a bronze bust of Benjamin Franklin. It will be unveiled at a special event on March 31, 2026. We look forward to sharing it with you after it is unveiled!
- Coming soon this spring – an exhibit on the Declaration of Independence in the Heritage Center of the League House
Follow us on social media and keep checking our calendar of events for more details.
A diverse offering of teacher seminars
We have more teacher education opportunities this summer than ever before, and with a wider array of topics. This includes deep dives into the First and Fourth Amendments, a thoughtful examination of the Medal of Honor and Vietnam War, a deep dive into the statesmanship of Lincoln, and a cross-disciplinary look at America through the works of Mark Twain.
Applications are open but spots are filling quickly with some programs already reaching capacity.
Applications open for summer student programs
Tired of the cold weather? Founding Forward is ready for summer too! Applications are open for the following student programs:
- Spirit of America Youth Leadership (9-12th Grade)
- Service Learning in Public Policy (9-12th Grades)
- Debate & Leadership Institute (10-12th Grade)
- Civic Explorers Day Camp (7th-8th Grade)
This is the perfect opportunity for your child, grandchild, or family member especially as we celebrate America’s 250th. Help them apply today!
2026 Liberty Leaders
We were thrilled to host two dozen students at the League House for Liberty Leaders – three days of seminars, discussions, and activities around America’s founding principles and the topics of liberty, freedom and free enterprise. View photos from the program here.
February speaker program line-up
We’ve also got an exciting line-up of speaker programs for February
- February 3: Library Hour: The American Revolution and the Fate of the World with Dr. Richard Bell at the League House
- February 18: Library Hour: John Dickson and the Birth of American Identity with Jane Calvert at the League House
- February 24:Public Affairs: State of the Nation with Andrew C. McCarthy at the League House
… and looking ahead
- March 4: Library Hour: The War for Middle Earth: JRR Tolkien, CS Lewis, and WWII with Joseph LoConte
- April 14: Liberty Series: A Voice that Shook the USSR with Ignat Solzhenitsyn
- April 28: Civic War Roundtable: Harriet Tubman as Military Spy with Edda L. Fields-Black
Check Founding Forward’s speaker program calendar to see all the exciting things happening.
Two years and still growing – thanks to your support
As we prepare to celebrate our second anniversary on Lincoln Day, we are grateful to generous benefactors. Your donations make it possible for us to live up to the promise we made when we announced the merger of The Union League Legacy Foundation and Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge: civic education with a wider reach and bigger impact. Your continued support will keep us growing.