America celebrates 250 years

Summary

Rosie Rios, Chair of the America250 Commission, discusses plans for America's 250th birthday. Events include a multi-time-zone ball drop on July 3rd and a block party at the LA Coliseum on July 4th. The initiative also aims to make July 4th a season of charitable giving, with corporate partners like Coca-Cola and MLB pledging volunteer hours.

• America250 is organizing nationwide celebrations for July 3-4, spanning all 50 states, five territories, and Washington D.C.
• A unique eight-time-zone ball drop will start in Guam and end in American Samoa to highlight the full U.S. geography.
• Anchoring event 'America's Block Party' at the LA Coliseum aims to pass the torch to the 2028 LA Olympics.
• The 'Giving Fourth' initiative seeks to transform July 4th into a new season of giving, moving charitable donations from year-end.
• Coca-Cola has pledged 250,000 volunteer hours for 2026; MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred also pledged 250,000 hours.
• The goal is to make July 4, 2027 the largest day of charitable giving in U.S. history.
• Rosie Rios has served on the commission for eight years, four as chair.