About
Honoring 250 Years of New Mexico Spirit
A Vision for All New Mexicans
In 2026, New Mexico joins the nation in commemorating 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence. This milestone invites us to reflect on our shared history, celebrate our rich cultural diversity, and consider how the meaning of independence continues to evolve across our communities today.
To guide this work, the New Mexico Semi-Quincentennial Commission was established in 2023 by the New Mexico Legislature through Senate Bill 106, charged with planning, promoting, and implementing the state’s commemoration of the 250th anniversary.
As we look to this moment, the Commission invites all New Mexicans to participate, honoring the past, engaging with the present, and imagining the future we will shape together.
A New Mexican Lens on a National Story
New Mexico’s story has always been one of encounter, exchange, resilience, and creativity. By exploring the nation’s founding through this uniquely New Mexican lens, we bring context and color to 1776, revealing how independence has been lived, expressed, and redefined in our state.
The Commission established Guiding Themes for the Commemoration. The statewide initiatives is united by four guiding themes that ground the commemoration in New Mexico’s past, present, and hopes for the future.
Themes
Common Ground & Historical Identity – Exploring how New Mexico experienced 1776 alongside Philadelphia, and how place, culture, and diversity shape our shared identity.
Histories of Independence – Reflecting on the varied meanings of independence in New Mexico, including histories of interdependence and the many forms of civic engagement that strengthen our communities.
New Mexico’s Contribution – Honoring the contributions of everyday New Mexicans—Native and Puebloan, Spanish, Mexican, and later U.S. settlers—and recognizing the enduring legacy of service, including military service across generations.
Historical Reflection & Progress – Looking back at the journey from 250 years ago to today, and using history as a lens to understand who we are and where we hope to go.
The Commission extends a warm invitation to all New Mexicans to take part in this historic commemoration. Through opportunities for meaningful participation, individuals, families, schools, tribes, and communities are encouraged to engage in ways that honor New Mexico’s diverse voices and shared values. This milestone celebrates a story that is distinctly New Mexican and deeply connected to the broader American experience.
