America 250
Celebrate America’s 250th Anniversary with special programs and reading lists designed to help you explore the people, events, and stories that shaped our country.
America 250 Reading Challenge
Celebrate America’s 250th Anniversary by reading 25 books across 25 decades. Start in 1776 and travel through the 2020s, choosing titles from or about each decade. Read all year long and turn in your log to receive a prize and be entered into prize drawings for t-shirts, book bundles and more!
Need ideas? Check out our decade-themed reading lists for adults, teens, and kids.
To Participate: Pick up a reading log at any CADL branch or download our fillable PDF log and print at home. Reading logs will be available at CADL branches beginning January 26.
Challenge Dates: January 20-December 31, 2026
Reading Lists
Explore America by decades with reading lists curated by CADL librarians. New lists will be added throughout the year.
1940-1949
1950-1959
1960-1969
1970-1979
1980-1989
1990-1999
2000-2009
2010-2019
2020-2026
Learn More
AMERICA'S FOUNDATIONAL DOCUMENTS
America 250 Events
Quiltmaker, Storyteller, Memory Keeper
Thursday Feb 5, 2026 6:00pm - 7:00pm South Lansing - In LibraryLearn about the traditions of Black quiltmakers and memory keepers, and explore how quilt making, st...
Road Food: How the American Highway System Invented Fast Food
Thursday Feb 19, 2026 6:00pm - 7:30pm All BranchesBlack History 101 Mobile Museum
Saturday Feb 28, 2026 10:00am - 3:00pm Downtown Lansing - In LibraryThe Founding Mothers
Tuesday Mar 3, 2026 6:00pm - 7:00pm All BranchesMore Events