America 250

Published 9:59 am Friday, January 2, 2026

As we enter the year 2026, the words America 250 will be heard often, possibly daily.

Why, you might ask? Because it was in 1776, exactly 250 years ago, that the United States was formed. I get excited about that.

You know I was the little kid who pleaded with my grandmother. “Please tell me about old times.”

I wanted to know and I still do. But old times were sad for my Grandmother Brooks. She was widowed at 26 and left with four little children. Times were hard. It was the Great Depression.

I remember searching through old dresser drawers at her house, looking for anything old. Maybe an old photo or envelope. Really, I wasn’t being snoopy. I was only looking for something old, today I would say searching for something historic.

Of course now I know our family history and it makes me proud.

Here we are in Meridian and Lauderdale County. What was happening 250 years ago in this area? Hold on to your hats. I am about to tell you.

Right here, where we live now was the Choctaw Nation. If you read my stories, you will have heard of the great Choctaw Chief Pushmataha. From my research, I can declare that he was a great man. He loved his people and led them to the best of his abilities.

His governing village was Koosa which is located only about fifteen minutes from downtown Meridian. The village was situated along the Lost Horse Creek located near today’s Naval Air Station. In his nation there was a total of six towns. Actually the Nation was located in a great portion of today’s Mississippi and Alabama.

There are a great many stories about the life of the great Choctaw Chief Pushmataha and my favorite is when the Shawnee, warrior chief, Tecumseh, visited the Choctaw Nation in 1815. In a few words, he dared Pushmataha to join him in a war to kill all of the settlers who had moved into their lands but Pushmataha said no. That he would rather make friends with the settlers and learn from them.

Again Tecumseh dared him and finally Pushmataha stood up to his full six feet and in a still, steady voice said, “If you are not out of the Choctaw Nation by nightfall, I will kill you all.”

Tecumseh and his warriors were last seen crossing the Tombigbee River.

Perhaps this the main reason we, as a nation, can celebrate America 250 in 2026.

Allow me to fill you in a bit about some of the celebrations in Meridian to celebrate America 250.

January — Children will be invited to “sign the Declaration of Independence” with a quill pen. This will take place at the Temple Theatre (date and time to be announced)

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February — the last Saturday in February, noon to 4 p.m., is The Downtown History Walk which kicks off at Dumont Plaza. This year we will have Chief Pushmataha (a Choctaw storyteller) to tell his life story. Also the Sons of the American Revolution will provide period music and the presentation of colors.

March — A Martha Washington Cake Baking Contest at Meridian Railroad Museum (date and time to be announced).

Plus additional celebrations until July 4th when the City will hold the largest celebration of all. (time and place to be announced).

It’s a big deal. Let us all celebrate and be thankful that we live in the greatest nation of all, The United States of America.

Anne McKee is director at Meridian Railroad Museum.