America 250: 5 major events celebrating the nation’s semiquincentennial

By Ryan Foley, Christian Post Reporter Tuesday, May 12, 2026

1. National Jubilee of Prayer, Penance and Thanksgiving

On Sunday, thousands are expected to gather on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., for the National Jubilee of Prayer, Penance and Thanksgiving.

The event is described as “a historic gathering as Americans of every background across the country prepare for the nation’s 250th birthday with Scripture, testimony, prayer, and rededication of our country as One Nation to God.”

The day’s programming will feature a sunrise worship service in front of the U.S. Capitol and “an evening filled with music anchored at the main stage on 12th Street.”

The event will feature speeches from several prominent public figures, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Dr. Ben Carson, Pastor Jack Graham of Prestonwood Baptist Church in Texas, Pastor Jentezen Franklin of the Free Chapel in Georgia, Pastor Robert Jeffress of First Baptist Dallas, National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference President the Rev. Samuel Rodriguez and many others. 

Secretary of State Marco Rubio will address the event through a video message, as will the Rev. Franklin Graham, CEO of Samaritan’s Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, and Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the former leader of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York.

In addition to testimony and reflection, the day’s programming will feature musical performances.

Those slated to perform at the National Jubilee include Grammy-winning Christian artist Chris Tomlin, “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band, the U.S. Navy Band, the Liberty Worship Collective, the Liberty University Praise, the Grand Canyon University Canyon Choir, the Hillsdale College Choir, the Fanfare Trumpets of the United States Armed Forces, bagpipes from the U.S. Air Force Band and the Military Chaplains’ Prayer.