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Guide

Free, to be fair: Courts celebrating America @ 250

Photo of Declaration of Independence with American flag background

Introduction

Courts have a unique opportunity to engage their communities through education and outreach during America's 250th anniversary. 

This handbook provides practical ways for courts to celebrate this milestone while strengthening public trust. It offers outreach and engagement ideas, along with messaging frameworks and examples that courts can tailor to local needs and existing programs.

Many of the approaches build on familiar civic education and community engagement activities. The handbook also features examples shared by courts nationwide to help inspire your own planning and implementation.

Download the handbook

Who this is for:

  • Court communicators
  • Court staff involved in community-building & outreach activities
  • Court leadership

Getting started

Brainstorm

  • Think about opportunities to build on existing activities.
  • Gather ideas for new projects just for the 250th anniversary. 
  • Identify groups you want to engage and why.

Refer to our list of potential ideas and spotlight courts for inspiration.

Communicate

•    Find themes and messages that will resonate with your desired audience. 
•    Explain why you do what you do, not just what you do.
•    Engage in two-way conversations with community members.
•    Tell stories about everyday justice, rather than focusing only on high-profile cases.
•    Emphasize fairness, transparency, accountability, and service in all communications.
•    Show how courts help solve real community problems.

See our tips and suggested themes and messages.

Promote

How will people find out about your activity?
•    Don't assume that an announcement on the court website or newsletter will reach your intended audience. 
•    Consider finding new community partners to help deliver your message.

This could be an opportunity to develop new channels to communicate.

What states are planning

Here are some early examples of how courts plan to commemorate America's 250th anniversary. Share your project plans to help inspire others!

Submit your activity

Traveling oral argument with a twist

The Court of Appeals of Indiana is partnering with the Indiana Historical Society to add a museum tour and historical exhibits to its existing Appeals on Wheels program.

Dedicated internal & external webpages

States like Ohio and North Carolina have developed dedicated webpages and websites to share historical timelines and facts.

Historical video series

The New Jersey Courts is producing a series of short videos that highlight connections between the New Jersey Courts and key figures of the American Revolution.

Coupling 250th anniversary with court milestone

The Kentucky Judicial Branch is connecting the nation's 250th anniversary with a yearlong campaign celebrating the 50th anniversary of unified courts featuring videos, public events, and educational partnerships. California's Power of Democracy civic learning initiative will unify the 250th anniversary and California's 175th year of statehood. Activities and resources will build court capacity to deepen the public's understanding of the judiciary's work.

Partner collaborations

A planning committee in Vermont is considering local 250th anniversary events at county courthouses in conjunction with county bar associations and historical societies and hosting a naturalization ceremony at the Vermont Supreme Court in early July.

Educational resource development

To help prepare students and teachers for the America 250 celebration, the Iowa Judicial Branch and Iowa State Bar Association created a 2025 Constitution Day one-stop resource that shares a constitutional case argued before the Iowa Supreme Court, educational videos, and podcasts about the Iowa Constitution and the courts.

Looking for a speaker for your 250th event?

We can connect you with speakers who can complement your anniversary event. 

Contact us to discuss