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BumRushDaShow

(165,895 posts)
Thu Jan 1, 2026, 09:43 AM Jan 1

White House announces Washington Monument illumination to kick off America's 250th celebration

Source: ABC News

December 31, 2025, 10:46 PM


President Donald Trump's plans for wide-scale celebrations to commemorate the nation's 250th birthday begin on New Year's Eve with illumination of the Washington Monument on the National Mall, the White House announced Wednesday.

"TONIGHT: The Illumination of America on the Washington Monument kicks off the celebration of America’s 250th birthday year 🇺🇸" an official White House X account posted.


Testing of the Freedom 250 projections lights up the Washington Monument in Washington D.C., on Dec. 30, 2025.
Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc., via Getty Images


The monument lighting will continue for five nights, as a "projection-mapping spectacle will illuminate the Monument, creating an immersive, luminous canvas that narrates our Nation’s discovery, expansion, independence, and vision for the future," according to Freedom 250, the organization tasked with organizing the nation's birthday celebrations. "This Washington Monument illumination is the opening signature moment of a year-long series of marquee national events celebrating the triumph of the American spirit."

The monument lighting will continue for five nights, as a "projection-mapping spectacle will illuminate the Monument, creating an immersive, luminous canvas that narrates our Nation’s discovery, expansion, independence, and vision for the future," according to Freedom 250, the organization tasked with organizing the nation's birthday celebrations. "This Washington Monument illumination is the opening signature moment of a year-long series of marquee national events celebrating the triumph of the American spirit."

Read more: https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/white-house-announces-washington-monument-illumination-kick-off/story?id=128811820

20 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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White House announces Washington Monument illumination to kick off America's 250th celebration (Original Post) BumRushDaShow Jan 1 OP
Soon to be known as the "Trump and Washington Monument" RoadRunner Jan 1 #1
We can assume it will include a fulsome homage to Trump. Ocelot II Jan 1 #2
A totally tasteless display. MiHale Jan 1 #3
Tall and ERECT!! Unlike TACO! ProudMNDemocrat Jan 1 #4
I've seen carnivals with higher aesthetics. C_U_L8R Jan 1 #5
They're not renaming it? Turbineguy Jan 1 #6
Good grief! Looks like an advertisement for a car company. Polly Hennessey Jan 1 #7
That is hideous gademocrat7 Jan 1 #8
Well that was tacky...in keeping with the Pig's style and class. Thomas Hurt Jan 1 #9
I'm sure Pres. George Washington would appreciate the neon Bayard Jan 1 #10
BRAWNDO! It's what plants want! Mawspam2 Jan 1 #11
Where is TSF's face? Sneederbunk Jan 1 #12
It's garish. As ugly as the oval office decor. QueerDuck Jan 1 #13
It looks like... Mrsfiddlegirl Jan 1 #14
OOF! That's pretty Tacky! 😑 electric_blue68 Jan 2 #15
This is so sad. I remember the bicentennial being a big deal when I was a kid Iris Jan 2 #16
Well here in Philly, where the Declaration WAS written BumRushDaShow Jan 3 #17
I love this! Thank you for sharing. Iris Jan 3 #19
Come on up! BumRushDaShow Jan 3 #20
Nice light show you got goin' there. truthisfreedom Jan 3 #18

C_U_L8R

(48,896 posts)
5. I've seen carnivals with higher aesthetics.
Thu Jan 1, 2026, 10:25 AM
Jan 1

But I guess the ‘clown show’ look is kinda appropriate.

Polly Hennessey

(8,580 posts)
7. Good grief! Looks like an advertisement for a car company.
Thu Jan 1, 2026, 10:43 AM
Jan 1

Will this hideous disgusting clown show ever cease?

QueerDuck

(1,034 posts)
13. It's garish. As ugly as the oval office decor.
Thu Jan 1, 2026, 03:54 PM
Jan 1

This could have had a nicer look that is a bit more dignified... but, it's shit.

Mrsfiddlegirl

(51 posts)
14. It looks like...
Thu Jan 1, 2026, 04:32 PM
Jan 1

It looks like a seven year old got loose with a box of Crayolas. How embarrassing is this?

electric_blue68

(25,965 posts)
15. OOF! That's pretty Tacky! 😑
Fri Jan 2, 2026, 08:45 PM
Jan 2

And as far as their (Freedom 250) future narration how much about the US are women, BIPOC, LGBTQI, and other communities are going to be ignored?

Iris

(16,847 posts)
16. This is so sad. I remember the bicentennial being a big deal when I was a kid
Fri Jan 2, 2026, 08:57 PM
Jan 2

This is just a nothing burger

BumRushDaShow

(165,895 posts)
17. Well here in Philly, where the Declaration WAS written
Sat Jan 3, 2026, 04:19 AM
Jan 3

we are doing it up.

People forget that there was no "Washington D.C." in 1776.

I remember the Bicentennial in 1976 here (Philly got a visit from Queen Elizabeth too), and a number of changes had been made to the whole Independence Hall area to create "Independence Mall" just for that event, and that has since been significantly improved upon over the past 50 years.

The Liberty Bell was moved out of Independence Hall on Jan. 1, 1976 after midnight (in the sleet...lol) and into it's own plexiglass enclosure so more people could "see" it,

1976 - 1990s


It has since been moved into it's on building (Liberty Bell Center).

Current




(I forgot that Ford was President but it was also an election year where Carter eventually won)

Iris

(16,847 posts)
19. I love this! Thank you for sharing.
Sat Jan 3, 2026, 02:59 PM
Jan 3

I lived in Western Maryland as a child so maybe being in that region made it all stick out to me.

Maybe trail to Philly should be on my 2026 list!

BumRushDaShow

(165,895 posts)
20. Come on up!
Sat Jan 3, 2026, 05:24 PM
Jan 3

Lots of stuff planned for the entire year (plus some FIFA matches and the MLB/baseball All-Star game will be here). I hope 45 just stays away. He has shat all over this country.

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