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On the night of April 18, 1775, Paul Revere, William Dawes, and others rode to Lexington, Massachusetts, warning minutemen and households about the approach of British forces. Behind him, lanterns in the steeple of the Old North Church were shining the agreed upon code made famous by poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, “One if by land, and two if by sea.” The next day, April 19, were the battles of Lexington and Concord — and the colonists were well prepared.
As part of the nationwide commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the America 250 Oregon Commission joins semiquincentennial commissions across the country in Two Lights for Tomorrow, a multi-state initiative that reminds citizens everywhere that our shared history is grounded in coming together to build a more perfect union. Oregonians are called to participate by shining two lights on April 18, 2025, in their homes and community spaces. “The America 250 Oregon Commission hopes that communities across the state will join us in Two Lights for Tomorrow to kick off the semiquincentennial commemorations,” America 250 Oregon Commission Chairman and Oregon Historical Society Executive Director Kerry Tymchuk said.
“Any kind of light can be used in any size building, be it a home, office, museum, community center, or government building. Using the imagery of shining lights as a uniting call to action, Two Lights for Tomorrow reminds us of the importance of working together for a promising future.” If you or your organization is interested in getting involved with the America 250 Oregon commemoration, contact oregon.
[email protected] or sign up for the official America 250 Oregon email list . The mission of the America 250 Oregon Commission is to coordinate, provide guidance, and ensure that Oregon’s official observance of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States is inclusive and shares the histories of Oregon’s diverse populations, including the histories of the Indigenous peoples who have resided here since time immemorial.
Learn more at oregon250.org.
