Democracy 250: Myth, memory and the American story

As the United States marks 250 years, how are we telling the story of the nation, and who gets to do the telling? This conversation brings together historians and commentators to unpack the myths that have long shaped American identity. Panelists will compare the 1976 bicentennial to the present moment and explore how today’s polarized narratives are reshaping democracy’s future, asking what our commemorations reveal about the health of our republic. The event is co-sponsored by the Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation at Harvard Kennedy School and the SNF Agora Institute at Johns Hopkins University

Speakers include:

• Lindsay Chervinsky, presidential historian and executive director of the George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon
• Leah Wright, historian and faculty member at the SNF Agora Institute at Johns Hopkins University
• Eugene Scott, journalist and political commentator (moderator)

About the Series

As the United States marks 250 years of democracy, the Ash Center’s Democracy 250 series convenes leading scholars, policymakers and practitioners to examine the nation’s democratic past, present, and future. Through public conversations, lectures, and panels, the series explores the ideas, institutions, and challenges that have shaped American democracy—and the opportunities to strengthen it for generations to come.

Event Details

This event is online only and registration is required. A recording will be made available after the event’s conclusion. The information collected in the registration form is for internal use only and will not be shared externally.

The Ash Center encourages individuals with disabilities to participate in its events. Should you wish to enquire about an accommodation, please contact our events team at info@ash.harvard.edu prior to the event.