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The American experiment isn’t something that happened—it’s something that’s still happening.

As the United States approaches its semiquincentennial, The Dispatch is launching The Next 250—a year-long project examining America’s founding principles and what makes this country, imperfect though it may be, so exceptional. Featuring exclusive essays from historians, political theorists, military experts, legal scholars, and cultural commentators, we’ll explore the biggest questions facing our nation and the unique qualities of this big, messy experiment we call home.

Showing 1-10 of 47

Showing 1-10 of 47

The Declaration of Independence being signed by the Founding Fathers in a formal chamber, with delegates gathered around a table while others stand witness, beneath an eagle and flags.

The Next 250

Thomas Sheppard / July 2, 2026

What the Declaration Declared

# Alt Text A collection of overlapping black and white film stills from classic cinema, arranged on a beige surface with film strip borders, depicting various scenes with actors in period costumes from different eras of filmmaking.

The Next 250

Hollywood’s Golden Era Still Has Lessons for America

Ben Mankiewicz / June 26, 2026

The classics, even if flawed, remind us of what we need not forget.

Portrait of an 18th-century nobleman wearing a dark blue military coat with gold buttons and epaulettes over a cream-colored waistcoat, depicted against a dark neutral background.

The Next 250

Does Presidential Character Matter?

Thomas Dichter / June 19, 2026

Trump’s morality is a rupture in the history of Americans’ desire for a virtuous executive.

A balding middle-aged man in early 19th-century formal attire with an ornately embroidered dark jacket and white cravat is portrayed against a deep red and green background.

The Next 250

John Quincy Adams and America’s Tortured Adolescence

Bob Crawford / June 12, 2026

And what his example of statesmanship can teach us today.

An 18th-century engraving depicts six men in period dress gathered around a table, with one elderly gentleman on the left gesturing toward a document being examined by the seated men in the center.

The Next 250

Is the American Experiment Legitimate?

Yuval Levin / June 5, 2026

How the Constitution met, and still meets, the test posed by the Declaration of Independence.

A teacher reads aloud to a group of young children gathered around a table with books and materials in a classroom, circa mid-20th century.

The Next 250

American Homeschooling Is as Old as the Nation Itself

Dixie Dillon Lane / May 29, 2026

From Abigail Adams to Abraham Lincoln, in-home learning is a deeply American tradition.

A vintage convertible automobile sits parked in the driveway of a stone house while three people stand nearby on the front entrance area.

The Next 250

Toward a Better American Dream

Jeffrey Bilbro / May 22, 2026

Will we ever decide between a producerist American dream and a consumerist one?

A man in a dark suit and striped tie speaks at a presidential podium bearing the official seal, set against a bold red rectangular background.

The Next 250

The Lasting Legacy of ‘Peace Through Strength’

Eric S. Edelman / May 15, 2026

Reagan’s defense buildup helped end the Cold War and laid the foundation of contemporary American military power.

A man in a dark suit stands at a presidential podium making a peace sign while addressing a crowd at an inaugural ceremony on the steps of a grand neoclassical building decorated with red, white, and blue bunting.

The Next 250

‘Morning Again’: Reagan’s Belief in National Renewal

Fred Ryan / May 8, 2026

The 40th president’s unshakable faith in the American people formed the foundation of his leadership.

# Alt Text Multiple vintage automobiles from the 1920s-1930s era are parked in front of the Alamo in San Antonio, Texas, with downtown buildings visible in the background.

The Next 250

Americans Still Love a Road Trip

Nadya Williams / May 1, 2026

Our yearning for exploration is as old as the nation itself.