In a first-of-its-kind display mixing history with modern technology, President Donald Trump kicked off America’s 250th anniversary year by lighting up the Washington Monument with scenes celebrating the nation’s history. Displays featured on the monument included the Apollo 11 Moon mission, a passage from the Declaration of Independence, and the Founding Fathers.
Thousands of onlookers who witnessed the display in person on the National Mall were awed by the larger-than-life portrayals of some of the most consequential figures and moments from American history. Videos of the spectacle also quickly went viral online, garnering millions of views.
The Washington Monument display is just the first of many festivities that the White House has planned for 2026 under the banner of “America 250.” Other outside organizations, including AMAC, will also host events to celebrate the milestone.
The Washington Monument lighting began at 7 p.m. on New Year’s Eve and lasted until after midnight. The displays continued each day until January 5.
Senator Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia, who helped make the projections possible, posted on X about the significance of the display. “To kick off a historic year celebrating our nation’s 250th birthday, patriotic images were displayed on the Washington Monument for the first few days of the new year,” she said. “I was proud to author the legislation that made this possible.”
Capito introduced a resolution in November “requesting the Secretary of the Interior to authorize unique and one-time arrangements for displays on the National Mall and the Washington Monument during the period beginning on December 31, 2025, and ending on January 5, 2026.” The House passed a companion bill that Trump later signed into law in December.
Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York also praised the unique show.
“What an incredible way to kick off [America’s 250th anniversary] with the stunning and awe-inspiring light display at the Washington Monument!” she posted on X. “We made a special quick trip to DC with Sam to view this once in a lifetime exhibit and to thank our @NationalMallNPS public servants and special events personnel for their extraordinary work to honor our nation’s semiquincentennial birthday!”
Trump created the Salute to America 250 Task Force – also known as Task Force 250 – to plan and carry out the festivities, like the Washington Monument display throughout the year. The task force is working with the nonpartisan organization Freedom 250 to serve “as the official public-private partnership that connects, aligns, and amplifies national and local efforts to deliver the defining presidential moments of this anniversary year.” Freedom 250 has shared images of the scenes shown on the memorial over the past week.
Since New Year’s Eve, the White House has also released presidential messages celebrating prominent figures and events from the nation’s past as part of the festivities. On December 31, the president recognized General George C. Marshall, Jr., for his role in securing victories during World War II, as well as later serving as secretary of state and secretary of defense.
On January 1, Trump also recognized the anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation, signed by Abraham Lincoln to free the slaves. He then recognized the Battle of Princeton in a separate message on January 3, describing it as “an epic clash that reignited the Revolution and steered the Patriots back on the path to independence.”
The White House has indicated that Americans can expect similarly patriotic statements and public celebrations of the nation’s history in the weeks and months ahead, leading up to July 4.
Alan Jamison is the pen name of a political writer with extensive experience writing for several notable politicians and news outlets.
