Two Lights for Tomorrow
As chair of the History, Heritage, and Historic Preservation Subcommittee of the Arizona America250 Commission, I am excited to update you on our preparations for next year's Semiquincentennial celebration. Our Commission is actively forging partnerships and launching initiatives to make our state’s festivities impactful and memorable. Upcoming programming includes the launch of the Arizona Passport250 app and website, designed to enhance communication with Arizonans while celebrating our unique heritage. Interested in connecting in person? Our traveling museum and time capsule will be hitting the road in 2026 and touring all 15 counties in Arizona. Additionally, we're excited about hosting a Broadway musical, a Veteran's Relay Race, and much more.
The commencement of our state’s celebration is the Two Lights for Tomorrow event, set for April 18 at the Arizona State Capitol, from 5:30 PM to 9:00 PM. This date commemorates Paul Revere's historic ride in 1775, when he alerted the colonial militia to the British forces’ advance towards Lexington and Concord, famously warning that “The Regulars are coming out!” rather than the mythical “The British are coming.”
Two Lights for Tomorrow marks the beginning of a series of events leading up to July 4, 2026, the 250th anniversary of America’s independence. This free public celebration at the State Capitol will feature a variety of activities, including historical reenactments, an F-16 flyover, and live performances by the Phoenix Symphony, making it an ideal outing for families and history buffs alike.
Exhibitors such as the S'edav Va'aki Museum and the Daughters of the American Revolution will present programs that explore Arizona's role in 1776 and other aspects of our country’s revolutionary history. A personal highlight for me is our collaboration with artists to both celebrate and look forward to our future. This includes working with a poet laureate to reinterpret Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's iconic poem, "Paul Revere's Ride," and my friend and collaborator, Vietnam Veteran Jim Covarrubias, who will paint a live portrait of the Liberty Bell during the evening’s events. I hope to see you there!
Moreover, I'd like to share the story of Sybil Ludington, a lesser-known but equally compelling figure from the Revolutionary War as was shared with me from Sharon McMahon’s The Small and the Mighty. At just sixteen, in 1777, Ludington rode approximately 40 miles- twice the distance of Revere's ride- to alert her father’s troops of an impending British attack in Connecticut. Her remarkable bravery and endurance were recognized 80 years later when she was commemorated on a U.S. Postage stamp as part of a set honoring unrecognized heroes of the Revolutionary War, issued on March 25, 1975, during our nation’s Bicentennial.
I encourage everyone, not just history enthusiasts, to participate in Two Lights for Tomorrow and future events. Whether you represent a business, an organization or are an individual with a passion for history, there are numerous ways to get involved. As we approach America's 250th birthday, let’s come together to commemorate, learn, and celebrate the nation's history. For more information on how to get involved, please contact us at America250AZ@azsos.gov. Let's make history together!
