USA 250 anniversary events

To mark the 250 year anniversary, a number of events are being held throughout 2026 across Edinburgh and the United States of America.

Events in Edinburgh

American History seminars

Date: 5pm, some Thursdays until 30 April
Location: 40 George Square and Zoom (unless otherwise indicated)

The School of History, Classics & Archaeology is offering an American History seminar and workshop series as well as round table events and a reading group with speakers from across the UK and USA.

Edinburgh Tartan Parade

Date: 1pm, 9 May
Location: Royal Mile, Edinburgh

Celebrate Scottish culture and heritage at the Edinburgh Tartan Parade, featuring traditional bagpipers, highland dancers and tartan-clad participants.

The inaugural Edinburgh Tartan Parade (which took place on 10 May 2025) is directly inspired by and linked to the successful NYC Tartan Day Parade. 

History of Science Joint Meeting

Date: 16 to 19 July
Location: The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland

The 2026 European Society for the History of Science/History of Science Society Joint Meeting will focus on the theme Shifting Perspectives: Plural Worlds, Contested Sciences.

Edinburgh and America Tour

Date: Any time
Location: Edinburgh, via the Curious Edinburgh app

Curious Edinburgh is on a mission to create mobile walking tours showing off Edinburgh's exceptional role in major scientific discoveries of the past five centuries across physics, geology and medicine.

Events in North America

NYC Tartan Day Parade

Date: 11 April
Location: 6th Ave & W 44th St, New York

Celebrate Scottish culture and march Sixth Avenue in NYC's 28th annual NYC Tartan Day Parade.

The American Revolution at 250: Author lecture with prominent historians

Date: 16 April
Location: Mount Vernon, suburban DC

Hear from historians Francis D. Cogliano, Joanne B. Freeman, and Peter S. Onuf about the most pressing topics that Americans debated in 1776 and continue to debate today. Have your questions answered during our audience Q&A, and enjoy a reception with beer, wine, and hors-d'oeuvres (included with ticket purchase).

Read the Revolution Speaker Series

Date: 3 June
Location: Museum of the American Revolution, Philadelphia

Francis D. Cogliano and Peter S. Onuf will give a lecture and discuss their new book, "Thomas Jefferson Survives: American Independence in His Time and Ours".

How did we get from the Declaration of Independence to the Constitution? educator seminar

Date: 20 to 23 July
Location: Montpelier, Orange, Virginian

This workshop, offered by Professor Frank Cogliano, considers the constitutional journey the United States undertook between the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.

Florida Council for History Education (FLCHE) conference

Date: 24 to 25 July
Location: Mission Resort + Club Conference Center, Howey-in-the Hills, Florida

Promote history in education as a way to appreciate the progress and awareness of past and present events through this year's theme, Innovation in History.

Book talk: Dr. Frank Cogliano

Date: 11 September
Location: Poplar Forest, Lynchburg, Virginia

Join Frank Cogliano for a discussion on his new book, Thomas Jefferson Survives: American Independence in His Time and Ours.

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