Almost 250 years ago, a small group of Americans embarked on a road that transformed the world. In 1776, just 56 people gathered in Philadelphia to make the radical declaration that all men are created equal and that they are endowed by their Creator with unalienable rights, including life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. We didn’t achieve those ideals at the time. We are still working toward them. But what is remarkable is that millions of people across Europe, Latin America, Africa, and Asia joined us on that road to build freer and better societies based on the ideals of freedom, opportunity, and equality.

To ensure that our founding ideals continue to inspire and shape the future, young people in America and around the world need to understand the road taken together over 250 years. But most young people will never get the opportunity to learn from an American historian, walk the cobblestone streets of Philadelphia, or meet people like them who are contributing to the fabric of America today. Without accurate information about America, disinformation fills the gap. If we don’t tell America’s story, others will tell it for us.

That is why Spirit of America is launching “Road to 250,” a new initiative to educate and engage the next generation with America’s story and the founding ideals of 1776, starting with the Philippines — a key ally in the Asia-Pacific in the defense of freedom. Our approach is to partner with independent social media influencers who can engage young people where they are. This approach enabled Spirit of America and German partners to reach over 20 million people through our “Road to Freedom” campaign that told the story of US troops in WWII.

For “Road to 250,” we will bring independent influencers and digital content creators from key countries to the United States to experience and share America’s story with their followers back home. Through immersive “road trip” programs, we have arranged unprecedented access to sites and experts that highlight American history and partnership, including the Museum of the American Revolution, the National Constitution Center, Mount Vernon, the Battleship New Jersey, the National WWII Museum, and the US Naval Academy. Our participants will also meet members of the vibrant Filipino diaspora community and tech innovators who embody the American ideals of equality and opportunity. We are proud to work with Global Ties U.S., an official supporting partner of America 250, and the nationwide Global Ties Network that coordinates US Department of State exchange programs in all 50 US states.

For our first “Road to 250” program, we are proud to welcome four independent communicators from the Philippines — Jacque Manabat, Raymor Cuevas, Shayne Funcion, and Jonas Tayaban — who will visit Washington DC, Annapolis, Philadelphia, New Orleans, and San Francisco on a journey through America’s story from independence through today.

By experiencing America’s 250-year history and the role of Filipinos in that story since the beginning, our Road to 250 participants will be able to bring millions of young people in the Philippines on the road with them, through Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok.

After the participants return home, we will continue educating young people on America’s story and US-Philippines partnership as our countries mark 80 years of bilateral relations in 2026. In collaboration with US Embassy Manila, we will engage young people at American Spaces across the Philippines, highlight shared history, and empower networks of young communicators to speak out in support of our shared values and partnership.

The Road to 250 Philippines program is just the beginning. Our collaboration with Embassy Manila is a model we will scale to support key US Embassies around the world to mark America’s 250th anniversary. In early 2026, we will launch a Road to 250 program for Germany, building on the success of our Road to Freedom campaign. Through the 250th anniversary year, we will launch additional Road to 250 programs in collaboration with US Embassy partners in Europe, Asia, and Africa as we mark this key milestone for America’s founding ideals.

Over the next two weeks, follow us on our social media on Instagram, LinkedIn, X, and Facebook for updates as we embark on our first Road to 250 program and tell America’s story to a new generation.