With the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence just around the corner, students at Garrett High School have a proposal: make the Fourth of July 2026 a four-day weekend.
Under the guidance of U.S. Government teacher and Social Studies Academic Team Coach Mr. Bill Thomas, students in his Early U.S. History and Government classes recently wrote letters to Congressman Marlin Stutzman, among other members of the Federal and State Governments. Their request? To extend the holiday weekend as a once-in-a-lifetime celebration of America’s founding.
Learning History, Making History
The project came after Thomas’ classes studied the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. Students were encouraged to think critically about how anniversaries of national milestones should be commemorated.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime event,” wrote Alyssa Cook in her letter, pointing out that the 250th anniversary deserves a bigger spotlight than a standard three-day holiday. “A four-day weekend would not only honor the past but also benefit the present by encouraging both civic pride and economic activity.”
Others echoed the significance of the occasion. “The weekend leading up to the Fourth of July can be described in two words: beautiful and eye-opening,” explained Mason Devlin. “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to celebrate such an occurrence.”
Themes of Family, Freedom, and Sacrifice
While patriotic pride rang throughout the letters, students also emphasized family togetherness. Apollo Adair noted that his birthday falls on July 3rd, but celebrations are often overshadowed by the Fourth. “If they had an extra day off, my family could hang out with me,” he wrote, tying personal experience to the broader theme of unity..
Maisy Cala reflected on a more sobering experience: “Last year on the 4th of July I spent it with just my sister… my mother was also working that night which means she couldn’t be there. I kept thinking about how nice it would be to be with everyone.”
Students also reminded leaders of the sacrifices tied to American freedom. “It could bring people to appreciate the country and what happened on July 4th many years ago,” wrote Delylah Gaerte, adding that the holiday could also serve as a time to honor veterans.
Practical Reasons for More Time
Some students pointed to practical reasons for a longer holiday. Ty Bickley and Ethan Smith both raised concerns about weather, noting that rain or burn bans could prevent fireworks. An extra day, they argued, ensures every community has a chance to celebrate.
Others highlighted economic and community benefits. Kaleb Deck suggested that a longer weekend would encourage travel and support small businesses, while Toby Harmon envisioned Garrett’s own local parade and festival being extended to include more residents.
Looking Toward 2026
The United States will celebrate its semiquincentennial—250 years since the Declaration of Independence was adopted on July 4, 1776—next summer. Large-scale events are already being planned nationwide, but Garrett students believe a four-day weekend would allow every American to take part more fully.
“This nation is proud of its citizens and proud of the holiday of when it was formed,” wrote Seth Riley. “That’s why I think this July 4th should be a four day weekend.”
For Thomas, the assignment was more than a class project—it was an exercise in civic engagement. His students not only studied history but also put democracy into action, writing directly to their elected representative.
Stutzman later responded in a formal letter to students, saying in part:
"It is great to see young people like you learning how to connect with your government and practicing the responsibilities of citizenship. Your letters show that you understand the importance of speaking up and being involved in our democracy. That kind of engagement is exactly what holds our government accountable."
The complete letter from Congressman Stutzman can be seen below:
