EdNews Virginia | June 18, 2026
As the nation’s monumental 250th birthday draws near, the U.S. Department of Education has officially concluded a massive, nationwide push to revitalize civics instruction. The “History Rocks! Trail to Independence Tour” wrapped up on Tuesday, ending a trek that brought federal education officials to all 50 states, including schools right here in Virginia.
The six-month initiative was designed to forge a meaningful connection between students and our country’s founding ideals. Over the course of the tour, educational programming reached nearly 20,000 students, from kindergartners learning their very first historical facts to high school seniors newly registered to vote.
To engage students, the Department utilized interactive games, school-wide assemblies, and focused conversations. Striving to reach every kind of learner, the tour included a diverse range of educational settings. Events were held at district and charter schools, religious institutions, tribal schools, and career and technical centers.
According to the Department, the initiative challenged students to consider the individuals, concepts, and milestones that forged our nation, while reflecting on their own civic responsibilities.
In a statement released on Wednesday, U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon thanked all the school communities that welcomed the tour.
“As we conclude the History Rocks! Tour after visits in all 50 states, I am deeply grateful to the students, educators, and school communities who welcomed us,” McMahon said. “If this Tour showed us one thing, it’s that young Americans are eager to learn about our nation’s history, to understand the principles that shaped it, and to think seriously about the role they will play in its future. As we celebrate America’s monumental Semiquincentennial, we must also continue to foster that spirit of curiosity, patriotism, and civic responsibility in the next generation of Americans.”
The tour represents a cornerstone of the Department’s efforts to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States. The initiative was coordinated with two key partners: the Freedom 250 Task Force, and the America 250 Civics Education Coalition.
For educators and families in Virginia — a state with rich historical ties to our nation’s founding — the tour highlighted ways to cultivate love for American history. With July 4th celebrations just around the corner, federal education leaders hope the enthusiasm generated by “History Rocks!” will inspire appreciation for America’s founding ideals in classrooms for years to come.