07/04/2026
It is only once that America turns 250, and that day is fast approaching. As our nation is getting ready to celebrate, the Grand Lodge of Washington, D.C. is proud to be actively commemorating this historic milestone through a growing series of public programs, partnerships, and educational initiatives that honor our shared past while looking confidently toward our future.
The story of Freemasonry is profoundly intertwined with the story of America. (Pictured above are John Mountz, who participated in the cornerstone laying ceremony of the US Capitol with George Washington in September 1793, and the “Old Glory” flag flying above the Shriners’ Parade in 1923.) Many of the men who helped shape the ideals and institutions of the young Republic were Freemasons, and the principles they championed—liberty, self-government, civic virtue, freedom of conscience, and service to others—remain central to our work today.
Over the past months, we have already begun participating in America’s 250th commemorations through planning efforts and special events. And this is only the beginning. Looking ahead, we are excited to take part in the July 4th Parade on the National Mall, honoring the builders of the Republic and recommitting ourselves to helping shape its next chapter. Throughout the months leading up to Independence Day—and continuing through the remainder of the anniversary year—we will be sharing stories, historical insights, and future-oriented commemorations that shed light on America’s enduring promise through a distinctly Masonic lens.
We invite you to follow along. Few organizations can offer such a direct connection to the people, principles, and institutions that helped shape the American experiment. At this important inflection point in our national story, we are honored to provide a unique perspective on how America’s founding ideals can continue to illuminate the path ahead.