‘Examining American Identity and Leadership in a Changing World’ is a collaboration of Brooks Memorial Library, Vermont Independent Media (The Commons) and Windham World Affairs Council, with support from the Vermont Humanities Council. We have joined  America 250 , a national initiative asking communities to plan for how to commemorate the 250th year of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Its mission is to provide opportunities for all Americans to pause and reflect on our nation’s past & present, honor the contributions of all Americans, and look to the future we want to create for the next generation and beyond.

America250 is a nonpartisan initiative working to engage every American in commemorating the 250th anniversary of our country. This multi-year effort, from now through July 4, 2026, is an opportunity to pause and reflect on our nation’s past, honor the contributions of all Americans, and look ahead toward the future we want to create for the next generation and beyond.

As our country  becomes increasingly divided, we are committed to creating opportunities to meet with our neighbors across all divides. People with different views increasingly perceive one another as “the problem” when, in fact, our partnership is the solution. Being afraid of people and ideas that challenge us, and believing we are further apart on issues than we really are, makes conflict inevitable and problem-solving impossible.  The upcoming semiquincentennial gives us an opportunity to plan activities that celebrate our differences and acknowledge what we have in common.

• provide opportunities to pause and learn from our nation’s past
• examine the long-term impacts of domestic and international policy choices
• build understanding across divides leading up to 2026