Where were 76 semiquincentennial trees planned for planting in Philadelphia?

The 76 semiquincentennial trees were planned for planting in Philadelphia’s Independence National Historical Park. The project was announced as a commemorative initiative connected with the 250th anniversary of American independence.

The number 76 refers to 1776, the year in which the Declaration of Independence was adopted. Using that number turns a historical date into a visible landscape memorial. Independence National Historical Park contains major sites associated with the founding period, including Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell Center, so the location places the trees within a nationally recognized historic setting.

The project was supported by a grant from the Daughters of the American Revolution. The organization announced the grant in 2017, and the trees were intended to be planted over several years leading up to the semiquincentennial. The project should not be confused with Valley Forge National Historical Park, which commemorates the Continental Army’s winter encampment, or Gettysburg National Military Park, which preserves Civil War history.