The Daughters of the American Revolution grant supported 76 commemorative trees in Philadelphia for America250. The trees were planned for Independence National Historical Park as part of the city’s preparation for the semiquincentennial.
The number 76 refers to the year 1776, the year associated with the Declaration of Independence and the founding-era events remembered by the anniversary. The planting project therefore uses a compact numerical reference to connect the landscape with American history.
The grant was announced in 2017, and the planting was expected to occur over several years leading up to 2026. Independence National Historical Park includes some of Philadelphia’s most important revolutionary landmarks, making it a logical setting for a living commemorative project.
The project is easy to confuse with the anniversary’s headline number, 250. The trees do not represent 250 years or 250 trees; their count is 76, a direct nod to 1776.