Independence Day marks a milestone in American history, but it also represents something deeply personal for each individual. As the nation celebrated its 250th anniversary this weekend, it was clear that independence means more than just a date on the calendar. Whether people attended local celebrations or those on the National Mall, Independence Day means the freedom to express, to celebrate, and to honor this day in ways that reflect our unique values and traditions.

Four of the earliest school houses in Colonial America, (clockwise from top left) The Bray school of Williamsburg taught enslaved and free black children, The St. Augustine Oldest Wooden School House, the Boston Latin School, and the Staten Island Voorlezer's House. All these schools were in operation decades, some even more than a century before 1776, and some were operated with local tax dollars. When John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson were writing the Decl