A Community Conversation: Beyond the 50 States

The United States is made up of 50 states, plus 6 territories/jurisdictions: Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and Washington, DC. In this pre-recorded conversation, representatives from these places speak about their connection to the United States and the unique histories and diversity of these places. Panelists included Eduardo Arosemena-Munoz, Chairman, Institute of Puerto Rican Culture; Elliot L. Ferguson, President of Destination DC; Dr. Kimberlee Kihleng, Executive Director of Humanities Guahan; Leo Pangelinan, Executive Director of the Northern Marianas Humanities Council; and Verdel L. Petersen, Facilitator of the Capacity Building Project in the US Virgin Islands.

America250 is a multi-year effort to commemorate the semiquincentennial, or 250th anniversary, of the United States. The purpose of the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission, created by Congress, and the corresponding America250 Foundation, is to catalyze a more perfect union by designing and leading the most comprehensive and inclusive celebration in our country’s history. America250 represents a coalition of public and private partners all working to create initiatives and programs that honor our first 250 years and inspire Americans to imagine our next 250.