Marshall, Texas, begins year-long celebration for America’s 250th birthday

MARSHALL, TX. (KTAL/KMSS) — In July 2026, America will celebrate its 250th historic birthday. Marshall, Texas, will honor the nation’s early history with year-long celebrations starting this month.

In the aftermath of the Boston Tea Party, tensions were high. While no one knew how, there was no doubt the British would respond.

The solution was fairly simple: “One if by land, two if by sea.” Paul Revere took a legendary ride to warn the residents of Boston that the British army was moving to attack and capture the leaders of the fledgling revolution. That ride, immortalized in the poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, is one of the most famous events of the American Revolution.

250 years later, you can see a version of the ride. Harrison County America 250 is hosting Two Lights for Tomorrow, a re-enactment of one of America’s most legendary tales.

Two Lights for Tomorrow will be the first event in a year-long celebration of the nation’s founding. The event will include a 30-minute presentation followed by the re-enactment and essays written from the perspective of Revere and other riders. It will conclude with a performance by military veteran and musician Kim Donnette.

The festivities are free and open to the public at 1 Peter Whetstone Square, Marshall, TX, on Friday, April 18th, from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.