To mark the 250th anniversary of America’s founding, Fulbright created special Freedom 250 Seminars to bring together around 120 Fulbright Visiting Scholars and Foreign Students from throughout the United States to explore American heritage at historically significant sites through curated tours, presentations by experts, and professional networking opportunities in Washington, DC; Philadelphia, Annapolis, and Houston–important to America’s history, security, innovation, and prosperity.
Freedom 250 Seminar: The Declaration of Independence and U.S. Founders
In April, 2026, Fulbright held two Freedom 250 Seminars in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: one for Fulbright Foreign Students and one for Fulbright Visiting Scholars. As the birthplace of American democracy, Philadelphia played a pivotal role in the founding of the United States, serving as the site of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776 and the Constitutional Convention in 1787. Hosted at the National Constitution Center, Fulbrighters examined the founding ideals of the United States through the museum’s exhibits, engaging with documents, artifacts, and interactive displays focused on the Constitution and the development of American democracy.
The Fulbrighters attended a panel discussion featuring historians and a Fulbright alumna who is now the director of the American Philosophical Society, who explored the origins and enduring legacy of the U.S. Constitution. Speakers explained how debates surrounding representation, federal authority, and civic participation shaped the nation’s system of government.
Fulbrighters also participated in a guided walking tour of Philadelphia’s Historic District, visiting sites connected to the Revolutionary era and the founding of the United States. The tour included a visit to the Liberty Bell, Liberty Hall, and the gravesite of Benjamin Franklin.
A Visiting Scholar from Bulgaria said, “This experience has profoundly expanded my understanding of American history, the American dream, and the core values that shape this country.”
See Photo Gallery: Student Seminar
See Photo Gallery: Scholar Seminar
Freedom 250 Seminar: The Nation’s Capital and Charters of Freedom
In late March 2026, Fulbright students gathered in our Nation’s Capital, Washington, D.C., for a Freedom 250 Fulbright Seminar focusing on the founding of the United States. Participants from nearly 70 countries explored the historic corners of this city while learning more about the nation’s founders and enduring monuments.
The Chief Guide at the U.S. Capitol Historical Society welcomed the group at the historic Decatur House and discussed the early development of the United States and the American history and ideals portrayed in the Capital Building paintings and sculpture.
During a private tour of the National Archives, Fulbrighters learned about the historical contexts and values of freedom that shaped our nation’s founding, and had the opportunity to view their embodiments in the original Charters of Freedom: the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. They also visited Mount Vernon, the home and burial site of George Washington, and explored the historic monuments of the National Mall. Fulbrighters crossed the Potomac River to visit Old Town Alexandria and its well-preserved eighteenth-century architecture, including a church where George Washington prayed.
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Department of State Sherry Keneson-Hall delivered keynote remarks highlighting the Fulbright Program’s legacy of excellence, inviting participants to engage with the values that define American leadership today. Fulbrighters attended a moderated discussion with professionals from The National Park Service and White House Historical Association that focused on the development of the National Mall and the role of its monuments and memorials in the formation of America’s national identity in the early days of the republic.
These enrichment activities deeply resonated with Fulbrighters. One student from Bulgaria stated, “I was reminded of the fundamental principles that sometimes I take for granted–democracy, equality, and liberty… [George] Washington’s vision and work is appreciated. And I truly found it fascinating to learn about America’s efforts to build the capital and the nation.”
Freedom 250 Seminar: U.S. Navy and Maritime Leadership in Annapolis
In March 2026, Fulbrighters gathered in Annapolis, Maryland, for a Freedom 250 Seminar honoring America’s maritime legacy. Participants from 65 countries explored the history and culture of Annapolis, an important early American port city and former U.S. capital. The seminar focused on the city’s tradition of civic leadership, and American maritime excellence, as it is also the home to the U.S. Naval Academy.
The Naval Support Activity-Annapolis Commanding Officer opened the seminar with a keynote address. “To understand the heart of American maritime identity, one need look no further than Annapolis,” she said, describing the city as a witness to the nation’s evolution from a bustling colonial port to a center of naval tradition. Her reflections on a lifetime of service resonated deeply. She noted that wearing a uniform “reminds you that you are part of something much larger than yourself… a continuous chain of service. It instills a sense of responsibility to live up to the standard set by those who came before you, and to ensure that the legacy you leave is worthy of those who will come after.”
A panel discussion brought together historians from the U.S. Naval Academy, Historic Annapolis, Historic Lewes, and Washington College to examine how maritime commerce, naval development, and local governance have changed since the late eighteenth century.
At Fort McHenry, Fulbrighters joined National Park Service Rangers in the daily flag ceremony, raising a War of 1812-era flag. Educational visits to the Maryland State House and the William Paca House offered insight into leadership and daily life during the Revolutionary War.
A Fulbrighter from Romania reflected on experiencing both the nation’s 250th and the Fulbright Program’s 80th anniversary. “I am grateful I have participated in my Fulbright program while both the country and the program celebrate important milestones… The seminar helped me understand specific actions and hear perspectives from historians and military leaders. I will include these reflections whenever I speak about my Fulbright experience.”
Freedom 250 Seminar: America’s Founding Ideals and Future of Technological Innovation
On the eve of America’s 250th Anniversary, 19 Fulbright Scholars-In-Residence representing 16 countries gathered in the nation’s capital for a special seminar that focused on America’s founding and history as well as how it is preparing for a future of technological innovation.
The seminar opened with a welcome session at Gadsby’s Tavern in Old Town Alexandria, an 18th-century gathering place that played a significant role in early American social and political life, hosting prominent figures of the era including former presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and John Adams.
A guided visit to the National Archives offered participants the rare opportunity to view the Charters of Freedom, the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. Scholars reflected on their own work and the ideals of freedom and civic responsibility that underpin American democracy, adding depth and insight to their conversations about the country’s founding ideals during the ongoing Freedom 250 celebrations.
A visit to the Virginia Tech Innovation Campus in nearby Alexandria introduced scholars to cutting-edge research in artificial intelligence, quantum science, and next-generation computing, highlighting how America’s higher education system ensures workforce readiness or response to emerging labor market demands.
Experiencing both historic and forward-looking sites in a city defined by innovation, vision, and a pursuit of excellence reinforced Freedom 250’s mission: to honor the nation’s founding while looking ahead to its next 250 years.