In a lead-up to America’s 250th birthday, the Trump White House has launched a new video lecture series titled "Road to Independence" aimed at commemorating key moments in American history. The series debuted on the anniversary of the Revolutionary War’s first battle in 1775, setting the stage for a full year of festivities planned to kick off on Memorial Day 2025.

The videos are a product of collaboration between the Department of Education and Hillsdale College. Hillsdale’s president, Larry P. Arnn, appears in the introductory video explaining the importance of truly knowing history if it is to be meaningfully remembered. "Commemoration," he notes, "means to remember together," a principle this series aims to fulfill.

Earlier in 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order forming a task force charged with organizing what the White House calls an "extraordinary celebration" of the nation’s semiquincentennial. This effort will coordinate with federal, state, and local governments, as well as private and educational sectors.

The video series opened with an episode on the Battle of Lexington and Concord—the historic April 19, 1775 skirmish recognized as the first military engagement on the path to independence. Hillsdale history professor Wilfred M. McClay narrates the ten-minute feature, offering viewers a detailed look at this pivotal event.

Complementing the video series, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt will share a reading of the patriotic poem "Paul Revere's Ride" across social media, spotlighting April 18, 1775, when Revere’s ride warned colonists of British troop movements.

Leavitt emphasized the administration’s commitment to honoring America’s heritage: "President Trump signed an executive order to create the America 250 task force because he feels strongly about honoring our nation’s heritage ahead of this monumental anniversary. The ‘Road to Independence’ video series will bring the incredible story of our country to the public as we prepare to celebrate America together in July 2026."

Those paying attention might recall President Trump’s unique Salute to America event on the Fourth of July in 2019, which featured military hardware parades and flyovers, diverging from traditional celebrations with a markedly patriotic display. This new series continues the tone of commemorating history with a distinct flair.

Celebration News

Trump White House Kicks Off 'Road to Independence' Video Series Ahead of America’s 250th Birthday