It may be a mouthful, but an important occasion nonetheless — the United States’ upcoming semiquincentennial.
Marking the 250th anniversary of the Second Continental Congress adopting the Declaration of Independence and separation of the 13 colonies from Great Britain, the semiquincentennial won’t officially take place until July 4, 2026.
However, groups like the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission are already steering projects to mark the occasion as the date draws near.
At one such event, held in front of the Gilmer County Courthouse last Thursday, members of Ellijay’s Capt. James Kell DAR chapter were joined by members of the Sons of the American Revolution Blue Ridge Mountains Chapter (representing Fannin, Union, Towns and Gilmer County) and others to unveil an official America 250! marker.
The National DAR established the America 250! Committee to carry out projects related to the forthcoming anniversary. The brass marker affixed to the lower level of the courthouse facing the town square reads:
This marker commemorates the men and women who achieved American independence. These patriots, believing in the noble cause of liberty, fought valiantly to found a new nation.
“The unequaled liberties America enjoys today are the legacies of our patriots. May this marker serve as a reminder of those who gave so abundantly to gain our independence,” said Jennifer Anderson, regent of the local DNR chapter, at the dedication event.
Kayla Hudson, the Kell chapter’s chaplain, said the marker is “a reminder of the high cost of liberty.” It’s also among a wealth of America 250! markers that have been or will be dedicated by DAR members across the country leading up to the semiquincentennial.
Several current and past state and national DNR representatives attended the Ellijay marker dedication, Anderson noted.
“We have a big event coming up in the U.S. with our impending 250th anniversary.We want to congratulate the James Kell chapter on this marker and (for) remembering our ancestors,” said Helen Powell,
Georgia DAR first vice regent, in her remarks.
The Capt. James Kell DAR chapter is named for an American Revolution-era militia company captain who was laid to rest on the family farmland in Gilmer County. Anderson said its goal is “to not only honor the men and women who achieved American Independence, but also to educate others about their service and sacrifice.”
“They have really done a good job of keeping the memory alive of the people who’ve done so much in our history to (get us) to where we are today,” said Gilmer Commission Chairman Charlie Paris about the local DNR chapter.
Anderson said the marker dedication and meeting that followed also served as fifth anniversary events for the chapter, which was formed in 2017.
“This was a pretty big step for our chapter. There will be more activities leading up to the 250th anniversary,” she added.