Hillsdale made videos with an introduction from College President Larry Arnn and a video on the Battle of Lexington and Concord by Professor of History Wilfred McClay, available at the White House 250 website. Megan Li | The Collegian

Hillsdale is partnering with the White House to celebrate America’s 250th birthday with explanations of the history and meaning of the Declaration of Independence through text, audio, and video.

The White House Salute to America 250 Task Force and the Department of Education asked Hillsdale to help create a series of videos telling the story of America’s Founding in celebration of the country’s 250th birthday, said a high-level college administrative member. 

Hillsdale helped begin the effort with an introduction from College President Larry Arnn and a video on the Battle of Lexington and Concord by Professor of History Wilfred McClay. Both videos are now available on the White House 250 website.

“President Trump and Secretary [of Education Linda] McMahon are determined to help all Americans remember, understand, and celebrate this unprecedented milestone,” Arnn said. 

McClay said the country recently observed the 250th anniversary of the battles at Lexington and Concord this month, which initiated the American Revolutionary War, also called the War for American Independence. 

“I tried to sketch a big-picture view of why the war came about, why irreconcilable differences arose between the British North American colonies and the mother country, and the specific events that led up to the battles at Lexington and Concord,” McClay said. 

McClay contrasted the freedom-loving colonists, who were accustomed to ruling themselves, and the British leaders, who were trying to reorder their country’s relationship with its colonies. There were also the British troops, who lacked the skills of maneuver and marksmanship of the Americans.  

“The battles were a great American triumph — which was a good thing, since so much of the rest of the war would be difficult and uncertain,” McClay said.

According to McClay, there will be lectures about a great many important events in America’s history leading up to July 4, 2026, the 250th anniversary of the date of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. 

“It was a great privilege to do this and really quite awesome to have the lecture taped in the beautiful Indian Treaty Room at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, a truly historic place,” McClay said.

McClay said he hopes Americans will see and understand why it is so important to remember these events, and why remembering them is a part of remembering who and what they are as individuals and as a nation. 

“The founders of Hillsdale College joined the cause of Abraham Lincoln in council rooms and on battlefields to rededicate the nation to the Declaration,” Arnn said. “We are proud to give every assistance in our power.”