Legacy 250: Celebrating 250 Years of India–U.S. Connections
LEXINGTON, Massachusetts — July 2026
As America commemorates the 250th anniversary of its founding, a new educational initiative will highlight an important but lesser-known chapter of history—the enduring relationship between India and the United States.
The India–U.S. Legacy 250 Initiative will host a public program in Lexington on Sunday, July 26, 2026, bringing together historians, educators, community leaders, students and residents to explore more than two centuries of shared history, democratic ideals, commerce, education and cultural exchange.
The event recognizes that while Lexington symbolizes the beginning of America’s struggle for independence, the story of that era also reaches across oceans. From early trade between New England merchants and India to the influence of Indian philosophy on Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau, the relationship between the two nations has been deeper and longer than many realize.
The program will feature:
- Historical presentations
- Student participation
- Multimedia exhibits
- Discussions on India’s contributions to American intellectual life
- The continuing partnership between the world’s two largest democracies
“Legacy 250 is not simply about looking back,” said Kanchan Banerjee, Founder and Convenor of the initiative. “It is about helping people discover the remarkable connections that have linked India and America for more than 250 years and inspiring the next generation to build an even stronger partnership.”
The Lexington event is part of a nationwide educational initiative that seeks to engage schools, universities, museums, libraries and civic organizations across all 50 states.
More information is available at:
About Legacy 250
The India–U.S. Legacy 250 Initiative is a national year long educational and cultural program commemorating the 250th anniversary of American independence by highlighting over two centuries of shared history between India and the United States. Through exhibitions, lectures, publications, documentaries, student programs, and community events, the initiative aims to foster a deeper understanding of the historical, intellectual, and cultural connections that continue to shape one of the world’s most important democratic partnerships.