As the United States marks its 250th anniversary, we have an opportunity to celebrate the nation's founding and also to reflect on the long journey toward fulfilling its promise. The Declaration of Independence proclaimed that all people are created equal and are entitled to liberty and self-government. Yet in 1776, those ideals applied fully to only a limited portion of the population. Women could not vote, enslaved people were denied their freedom and basic rights, Native Americans were largely excluded from the political community, and property requirements prevented many men from participating in elections. In the decades that followed, many immigrants and their descendants, including Asian Americans, faced legal barriers to citizenship, voting, property ownership, and equal participation in civic life. The history of American democracy is therefore not simply a story of rights granted at the nation's founding, but of successive generations working to extend those rights to people who were initially excluded from their full protection.

Over the past 250 years, the story of American democracy has been one of steadily expanding the reach of independence. The abolition of slavery, the Reconstruction Amendments, the women's suffrage movement, the civil rights movement, and countless other efforts have gradually extended political rights and opportunities to people who were once excluded. Each generation has worked to bring the nation closer to its founding ideals, broadening the circle of those who can fully participate in civic life.

Few developments have done more to strengthen American democracy than the expansion and protection of voting rights. From the 15th Amendment's guarantee that race could not be used to deny the vote, to the 19th Amendment's extension of suffrage to women, to the Voting Rights Act of 1965, Americans have repeatedly recognized that self-government depends upon broad and meaningful participation. The right to vote is the mechanism through which citizens exercise their independence, hold leaders accountable, and shape the future of their communities.

For more than a century, the League of Women Voters has been part of America's continuing democratic journey. Founded in 1920, just before the ratification of the 19th Amendment, the League was created to help newly enfranchised women become informed and active participants in self-government. Today, its mission remains as vital as ever. The history of voting rights in the United States reminds us that progress is neither automatic nor permanent. Rights that took generations to secure can be weakened, challenged, or taken for granted. In recent years, debates over voter access, election administration, and the scope of protections provided by the Voting Rights Act have underscored the need for continued vigilance.

As we celebrate our nation's 250th anniversary, we should honor those who won independence in 1776, and also the generations who expanded its promise to more Americans. The enduring lesson of our history is that democracy requires active stewardship. Each generation inherits the responsibility to protect the right to vote, ensure that every eligible citizen can participate, and preserve a government that remains truly of, by, and for the people.

Sincerely,

Tracey Edwards and Polly Bove, 

Co-presidents

On May 2, a group of members joined Membership Director Nina Wong-Dobkin for coffee and conversation at Peet’s Coffee in Sunnyvale. We even welcomed a special guest—a member’s 3-year-old future League member (give or take 13 years!).

Many attendees were meeting for the first time but left feeling more connected to fellow League members and our shared mission. Charlene L. reflected that she felt “hope and gratitude for people who, as Jodi M. said, believe that ‘the right to vote should never be partisan.’” Members also appreciated Nina’s overview of the League’s national, state, and local structure and how each level balances voter education and advocacy. The gathering was a wonderful reminder that meaningful civic engagement starts with building community.

 Curious about the League? Join Nina at our next in-person Coffee Hour to learn more about how the League works, meet fellow members, and pick up a few fun facts along the way. Nina promises to keep it informative and not too boring!

 Next Coffee Hour: Tuesday, July 21, 10:30 AM, at Panera Bread, 20807 Stevens Creek Blvd, Cupertino. Please sign up here.

Visit the Exhibition Exploring America’s 250th Anniversary

As the United States approaches the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, many Americans may feel conflicted about the state of the nation. Los Altos History Museum invites visitors to reflect on the country’s past and imagine its future through a new exhibition, The Spirit of ’76: Reflecting on America’s 250th, on view June 18 - November 8, 2026. The exhibit is at the only small local history museum in the bay area to host a presentation for the 250^th anniversary.

The Spirit of ’76 is sponsored by the AAUW Silicon Valley Branch, the Daughters of the American Revolution Los Altos Chapter, and the League of Women Voters of Los Altos-Mountain View area.

“I think it’s important, especially on milestone anniversaries, to take a moment to consider what the words of the Declaration of Independence meant in 1776, and what they mean today,” said Exhibition Curator Dr. Amy Ellison. “It’s a living document—it doesn’t just belong to Jefferson and the founding generation; it belongs to each and every one of us.”

Alongside national stories, the exhibition explores how communities marked major national milestones and reflected on the state of the nation, featuring local connections such as the Anza expedition—also commemorating its 250th anniversary—and photographs from the Los Altos Bicentennial parade. Visitors will also see Peggy Fleming’s bicentennial skating costume on loan from History San Jose and learn about the People’s Bicentennial Quilt—created as a celebration of the nation’s diversity.

Interactive elements throughout the exhibition invite visitors to vote in polls, engage directly with the text of the Declaration, contribute to response walls, and share their hopes for how America might celebrate its 300th anniversary. Guests can also view winning entries from a student poster contest exploring the events young people believe most shaped the nation’s history.

“Reflecting on the Declaration’s promises helps us to see the progress we’ve made, while also recognizing the work still left to do,” Ellison said. “It’s okay to feel conflicted.”

The Museum is open Thursday through Sunday, from noon-4pm. Admission is free.

Related programs:

·         American Patchwork, Wed, July 15, 5:30-7pm.

·         Junipero Serra and 1776 , Wed, Aug 19, 5:30-7pm.

·         Curating America’s 250th, Wed, Sept 16, 5:30-7pm.

·         Not Quite Created Equal?Wed, Oct 21, 5:30-7pm.

Evening program admission: $15/person, free for Museum members. Registration required at losaltoshistory.org/Spiritof76.