As America approaches her 250th birthday in 2026, we have been given a rare opportunity to do more than hold parades, wave flags, and admire the glories of the past. America 250 should be a time of renewed gratitude, reflection, and responsibility. We honor our history best not by treating it like a museum relic, but by passing its truths to the next generation.
The 917 Society, based in Nashville, has made that mission its calling: putting a pocket Constitution into the hands of students and rekindling civic literacy across the country. The organization has already served schools in all 50 states and reached more than 3,000 districts with 8th graders this past year with more planned for this important historical milestone of America 250 in 2026.
Our nation’s founding was not merely an event in 1776; it launched an enduring experiment in ordered liberty, self-government, and God-given rights. If we want this anniversary to mean something lasting, we must return to the very document that gave structure and protection to those ideals. The 917 Society’s 2026 focus is rooted in that conviction, emphasizing constitutional literacy as a meaningful way to celebrate America 250 and help students understand the inheritance they have received as citizens.
This year, that vision comes to life through the special edition America 250 Pocket Constitution. Schools are being invited to place orders now so students can receive these resources at no cost, and the broader ministry of churches, families, and communities can rally around the same effort. According to the 917 Society’s order page, schools and volunteers can request Constitutions for 7th- or 8th-grade programs, while churches, civic groups, and community organizations can also place general requests for events and outreach.
Just as important, this is a mission people can join in practical ways. Volunteers are needed to help deliver Constitutions to schools and support outreach in communities that still need coverage. The 917 Society also notes that it needs help with phone calling, social media, grant writing, and school delivery efforts. And because this work is powered by generosity, not taxpayer funding, donors make it possible for students to receive their pocket Constitutions and supporting resources free of charge. Donations go directly toward putting U.S. Constitutions in the hands of school children, and the organization also highlights support for classroom-based engagement, including contest incentives and student recognition.
That is why church gatherings, homeschool groups, patriotic programs, and community events are such an important part of the America 250 moment. Bulk orders for group use help expand the reach of constitutional education, and the 917 Society also promotes smaller Amazon purchases as a way to support its printing and distribution mission.
Every order becomes more than a purchase; it becomes an investment in civic renewal. In a time when too many young Americans are disconnected from the nation’s founding principles, honoring our history means placing truth in their hands. America 250 is not only a celebration of where we have been. It is a call to decide what kind of nation we intend to be.
Visit www.917society.org to learn how you can get involved.
—Joni Bryan, Founder and Executive Directory, 917 Society
