29/05/2026
The United States of America at 250 Reflections on the past, present, and future of independence
This May, Cambridge plays host to a landmark event marking the United States' 250th anniversary. On 29 May 2026, the Cambridge US Studies Network invites you to the Ray Dolby Centre for a day of expert debate, poetry and reflection centred around one defining question: does the Declaration of Independence still matter?
Three distinguished panels will bring together historians, journalists, artists and politicians to explore the Declaration's significance in its own historical moment, its impact on the United States and the world, and its enduring relevance in the twenty-first century. Speakers include Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Heather Ann Thompson, former US Poet Laureate Natasha Trethewey, New York Times columnist Jamelle Bouie, and US Congressman Jared Golden, alongside leading academics from Cambridge, Harvard, Oxford and beyond.
The day concludes with a drinks reception, giving attendees the chance to continue the conversation in a more informal setting.
The event runs from 12.30pm to 7pm and admission is free — though spaces are limited, so early booking is encouraged. Bookings close 27 May 2026.