Why It Matters
Nebraska’s celebration of the United States’ 250th anniversary drew state employees and elected officials together in a rare cross-branch public event, reflecting broad interest in commemorating the national milestone at the state level.
What Happened
On June 25, 2026, employees from Nebraska’s legislative, executive, and judicial branches gathered on the front steps of the Nebraska State Capitol in Lincoln to form a human American flag shaped in the outline of the state.
Participants wore red, white, and blue clothing — including ponchos — to create the flag’s distinctive pattern. Several tourists who happened to be at the Capitol joined in as well, swelling attendance beyond what organizers had anticipated. More than twice as many people showed up as had initially responded to the invitation.
The event was organized in part by Roxanne Smith, tourism supervisor for the Office of Capitol Commission, and Sally Schultz, a committee clerk for the Legislature.
Who Was There
The gathering drew participants from all three branches of state government. Nebraska Supreme Court Chief Justice Jeffrey Funke of Nebraska City took part, joined by Justice William Cassel of O’Neill and Justice Stephanie Stacy of Lincoln.
From the Legislature, State Sen. Rob Clements of Elmwood — who chairs the Appropriations Committee — participated, as did State Sen. Rita Sanders of Bellevue, who chairs the Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee. Former State Sen. Suzanne Geist of Lincoln also joined the group.
Sanders, who is days away from her 68th birthday and a graduate of the class of 1976, brought personal history to the occasion. She noted that she has held onto a bicentennial welcome mat for 50 years. “I’m all about red, white and blue,” Sanders said. “You bet, I made a point of being down there for the picture.”
She added: “God bless America. What a great place to live and a good time to be alive.”
By the Numbers
~200 — approximate number of participants in the photo
2x — more than twice the number of people initially expected showed up
250th — the U.S. anniversary being commemorated
50 years — how long Sen. Sanders has kept her bicentennial welcome mat, acquired around the country’s 200th anniversary
25 miles — distance from Seward, Nebraska — designated as America’s official Fourth of July City: Small Town USA — to Lincoln
Zoom Out
The America 250 commemoration has prompted state and local governments across the country to organize public events, civic education initiatives, and ceremonial gatherings throughout 2026. Nebraska’s human flag photo is one example of state institutions marking the anniversary in a way that involves employees from multiple branches of government simultaneously.
Nebraska has been an active participant in the broader national observance, with state agencies and local communities coordinating events ahead of the July 4th holiday. Seward, located 25 miles west of Lincoln, holds a nationally recognized designation as the official Fourth of July City: Small Town USA, drawing visitors each year for its Independence Day celebration.
Nebraska’s state government has also been engaged on several high-profile policy fronts in recent months, including a legal challenge by the state attorney general against a Lincoln minimum wage ordinance and a federal Medicaid waiver request tied to economic disruption in one county.
What’s Next
The photographs from the June 25 gathering are set to be submitted to the Nebraska State Historical Society for preservation, ensuring the image becomes part of the state’s official historical record of the America 250 commemoration. Additional Fourth of July events are expected across Nebraska in the coming days, with Seward’s annual celebration drawing regional attention as the holiday approaches.