In 2026, the United States of America will mark the 250th anniversary of our founding—July 4, 1776, when the United States announced itself as a new nation with the issuance of the Declaration of Independence.

At Poplar Forest, this milestone offers an opportunity to reflect on Jefferson’s pivotal role as the principal author of our nation’s founding document, the unparalleled impact of his words on our nation’s history (and nations around the globe)—and their enduring inspiration for future generations of Americans, manifested in Abraham Lincoln’s description of the Declaration as “essential truths applicable to all people and at all times.”