YOUTH VOICES Announcing Letters to America: Perspectives from the Generation Shaping America’s Next 250 Years BY ALEX EDGAR
If you ask a young person what’s happening this summer, you might hear about the FIFA World Cup, the BTS reunion tour, or plans to catch the new Spider-Man in theaters. But very few would bring up one of the most important milestones in American history: the U.S. 250th. When I talk to older Americans, many look back fondly on the U.S. Bicentennial in 1976 as a moment of national celebration, investment in cultural institutions, and public conversation about what it means to be American. But with just two months until July 4, the 250th has mostly missed Gen Z – and with it, America has missed out on Gen Z’s ideas, passions, and vision for the future. We are living through a moment of deep division, declining trust, and economic uncertainty. Young Americans are losing faith in our country’s promise, with Gen Z being the least patriotic generation, with the lowest trust in institutions. Yet, research shows that young people are not opting out of civic life, but are creating new pathways to engage and make a difference. Through two years of running Youth250, a nationwide effort to bring young people into this moment as creators and collaborators, we’ve learned that the 250th can be an opportunity to help my generation see ourselves as the founders of the future (https://historymadeby - us.org/youth250). By offering a multi-perspective view of our history and avenues for young people to shape how we mark this moment, we can drive a narrative shift, stronger and more connected communities, and a legacy of youth leadership. Last summer, with the U.S. 250th just a year away, a group of young people from Youth250 teamed up with 25 leading civil society orga -
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nizations to publish an open letter in Teen Vogue , asking institutions and leaders to “bring us in” to every room in America where decisions are made. Dozens of organizations co-signed the letter. More than 200 organizations have since invited young people to advise on their work, speak, write, and serve on committees and boards. We launched a Substack (canwetalkgenz.substack.com/) and a Washington Post col- lection to meet the demand for more youth insights. (washingtonpost. com/opinions/2025/07/03/gen-z-patriotism-july-4th/) In February, just steps from where the Declaration of Independence was signed in Philadelphia, we crafted a collective, traveling youth Declaration and invited eight creators to deliver a live “Letter to Amer - ica” on stage. Ranging from spoken word to dance to presentations, these reflections on the United States at 250 inspired the crowd and pointed the way forward to an America for all. The impact was imme - diate – inspiring, hopeful, and actionable. In April, we kicked off the Letters to America series in The Fulcrum, with an open call for all young people to add their voice. (historymade - byus.org/youth250/letters) Through written essays, short videos, speeches, and art, teens and young adults are invited to put the American story in their own words. Whether through reflections on America’s past, personal stories about family, identity, and experiences, or powerful visions for the future, Letters to America introduces readers across the United States to the generation that will carry us forward to the 300th anniversary. This project is intentionally designed to be accessible to every young American, from Alaska to Puerto Rico. Young people ages 14 to 30 years old can submit their own letters at youth250.org/letters , share them through local and national outlets, participate in Youth Take - over Day events, or partner with organizations willing to pass the mic. For those looking for more support, the Youth250 Content Corps of- fers resources and a community of peers working to tell the story of a generation in real time. Selected submissions will be published in The Fulcrum every week, and by museums, media, and civic organizations across the country as part of National Youth Takeover Day on June 27, 2026, a moment designed to pass the mic to the next generation. Alex Edgar is the Youth Engagement Manager with Made By Us. historymadebyus.org. This article was originally published online in April 2026 by The Fulcrum — https://thefulcrum.us/civic-engage - ment-education/letters-to-america-gen-z-us-250th — and reprint permission is granted.
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