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As the United States celebrates the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, events held by the Karsh Institute of Democracy are focusing on this historic occasion as a time to reflect on our founding ideals and consider what the next 250 years could hold. The fall 2025 Democracy360, the institute’s signature biennial event held over three days, served as the official launch of UVA’s 250th initiatives.
Selected Democracy360 and 250th anniversary events held so far are presented here.
OCTOBER 15, 2025
Across cultures and throughout history, music has brought people together to communicate, reflect, and connect. Part community concert and part participatory rhythm session, the event welcomed everyone—no experience required—to partake in a shared civic act through sound.
An exclusive preview of Ken Burns’ PBS documentary, “The American Revolution,” set the stage for a panel conversation about the meaning and legacy of America’s founding and what the ideals of the Revolution demand of us today.
OCTOBER 16, 2025
Students and community members came together to explore opposing views with respect, curiosity, and a spirit of shared learning. In this structured debate, participants considered a resolution related to the 250th anniversary of America’s founding.
OCTOBER 17, 2025
Inspired by Thomas Jefferson’s legendary dinner parties, this lunchtime dialogue invited participants to share a meal while exploring democratic values, civic identity, and the legacy of 1776 through a guided conversation format developed by Monticello.
DECEMBER 3, 2025
The American Revolution was fought not just with muskets and bayonets but also through the creation of works of art that articulated and forged revolutionary ideals. Through examination of three artists’ portraits, Zara Anishanslin, associate professor of history and art history at the University of Delaware, demonstrated the power of art in shaping democracy in her new book, “The Painter’s Fire: A Forgotten History of the Artists Who Championed the American Revolution.”
JANUARY 15, 2026
Co-authors of “Truth Matters,” scholars Dr. Cornel West and Dr. Robert P. George discussed the importance of the Socratic intellectual humility in education. The event kicked off the UVA250 Presents program and was sponsored by the Office of the President, UVA250, the College and Graduate School of Arts & Sciences, the Office of Engagement, the Karsh Institute of Democracy, and the Miller Center of Public Affairs.
FEBRUARY 25, 2026
The founders called Congress the “first among equals,” signifying its importance as a democratic institution. Speaker Emerita of the U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi reflected on the important role Congress plays in meeting Americans’ needs, with USA Today Washington Bureau Chief Susan Page. What steps must be taken to accomplish that goal and invigorate trust among citizens? This event was part of an ongoing series from the Karsh Institute featuring conversations with leaders from both sides of the aisle on Capitol Hill.
MARCH 27, 2026
UVA’s Indigenous Political & Social Thought Committee invited reflection not only on the founding of the republic and the Constitution but also on the Indigenous systems of governance that predated and influenced the United States’ democracy. The Founding Fathers recognized these systems, which impacted the nascent country’s institutions and were recognized in its new symbols. Native scholars, knowledge holders, students, and community members convened for this daylong symposium to explore the foundations and futures of tribal governance. This educational and promotional initiative seeks to broaden the conversations surrounding the U.S. Semiquincentennial to include Indigenous political thought and sovereignty, enriching our collective understanding of civic discourse and democratic practice.
APRIL 10, 2026
Undergraduate students from two- or four-year colleges and universities across Virginia competed in an oratory contest to determine the most persuasive argument centering on the story of a Virginian who embodies the Declaration of Independence. Finalists delivered their five-minute speeches to a bipartisan panel of former White House speechwriters and other civic leaders at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture in Richmond. The contest was hosted by the Karsh Institute of Democracy, UVA250, and the Office of the President in partnership with the Virginia Museum of History and Culture and VA250.
