As we approach the 250th anniversary of American independence in 2026, the Sandra Day O’Connor Institute invites you to explore the people and principles that built our nation. The new “America’s Founders: Who Am I?” series blends history, curiosity, and civics—challenging you to identify key figures from America’s founding through weekly clues on social media. From celebrated leaders to unsung heroes, each post reveals the human stories behind the founding of our democracy. Join us in rediscovering their legacies and deepening your understanding of what it means to be an informed citizen today.
As we count down to the 250th anniversary of American independence in 2026, the Sandra Day O’Connor Institute invites you on a journey to rediscover the individuals who helped shape the foundation of our nation. Through our new “America’s Founders: Who Am I?” series, we’re spotlighting not only the iconic leaders whose names you already know, but also the unsung heroes whose contributions deserve a place in the national memory.
Clues, Curiosity, and Civics
Each week, our social media channels will feature a post with clues about an individual who played a unique role in the founding of our country. Your mission? Guess who it is—and learn more about the pivotal role they played in building our democracy. These bite-sized history puzzles aren’t just fun; they’re designed to spark curiosity and foster civic understanding, one clue at a time.
Why It Matters
Understanding America’s founding is more than just memorizing names and dates. It’s about connecting with the ideas, debates, and values that shaped our Constitution, government, and civil society. As Justice Sandra Day O’Connor so often reminded us, civic knowledge is essential to civic engagement. Through this interactive campaign, we aim to make that knowledge accessible, approachable, and engaging for all ages.
By participating in the “Who Am I?” series, you’re not only testing your history skills—you’re joining a national conversation about what it means to be an informed citizen in a thriving democracy.
Learn More and Stay Involved
We encourage you to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Threads, Bluesky, and X, and to explore our in-depth content at CivicsforLife.org. There, you’ll find articles, lessons, and resources that go beyond the quiz and bring the stories of these Founders to life.
Want to learn why Gouverneur Morris’ words still echo today? Or how John Jay helped lay the groundwork for our court system? Each clue opens the door to greater understanding—and we’re just getting started.
We look forward to sharing more articles, resources, and ways to engage as we lead up to the July 4, 2026, celebration of our country’s independence.
Join the conversation. Share your guesses. Learn something new. Because our country depends on all of us knowing the past to protect our future.
Explore More:
- Historical Foundations – Before becoming one nation, thirteen independent colonies along North America’s eastern coast were united by shared challenges in the 1770s to form the United States of America.
- Declaration of Independence - Explore Civics for Life's comprehensive collection of articles on the Declaration of Independence to deepen your understanding of America's founding principles and the revolutionary events that shaped our nation.
