South Carolina has signed on to America’s celebrations of the history of the Declaration of Independence, and the Center for American Civic Leadership and Public Discourse will play a role in the unfolding commemorations.
On March 3, the leaders of each branch of South Carolina’s government spoke at the State House and signed a document affirming the importance of America’s founding declaration, which was signed 250 years ago.
“The Declaration of Independence ranks among the most influential works ever written, uniquely uniting political theory with decisive action,” their “Declaration of Thanksgiving and Celebration” states. “It is not merely a statement of separation, but a reasoned explanation addressed ‘a candid world’ and grounded in moral principle rather than brute force.”
On March 19, the USC Board of Trustees announced a resolution marking both the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the 225th anniversary of the university’s founding as South Carolina College in 1801. The board’s resolution highlights how the university’s beginnings were linked to the founding generation’s recognition that a self-governing people must have access to education.
“The Board of Trustees expresses its gratitude to our National, State, and University leaders who work to preserve the principles expressed in our Nation's Declaration of Independence, and who cultivate in our youth those virtues necessary for a free and self-governing people," the resolution states. “The Board of Trustees most solemnly declares its commitment to fostering and encouraging at the University of South Carolina an education in those principles of civic responsibility and comity that will enable our City, our State, and our Nation to progress in its commitment to liberty, equality, and justice for all.”
The Center for American Civic Leadership and Public Discourse is an important part of the university’s commitment to civic education. In the center’s first year, it engaged students with public talks as well as intimate reading groups to learn about and debate topics such as religious liberty, the Constitution’s structure, American history and civil discourse. The center has sponsored student-led events and research projects on topics related to civic leadership as well.
Meanwhile, faculty have engaged in seminars to explore topics such as the purpose of a university and the role of a university in civic education.
“The Center for Civic Leadership has helped hundreds of students gain a deeper understanding of what it means to lead in American democracy while also giving them experience with constructive public discourse," said Chris Tollefsen, philosophy professor and interim director of the center. “We continue to grow our Francis Lieber Undergraduate Forum and look forward to working with student leadership across the university in the upcoming academic year.”
The center also has connected with USC departments that have planned events commemorating the 250th anniversary of America’s founding. The center is organizing several events in this series, including:
- A panel discussion on August 25 commemorating the 250th anniversary of South Carolina’s first ratified state constitution.
- A Constitution Day lecture by Lucas Morel, of Washington & Lee University, titled “‘I, Too, Sing America’: The Black Affirmation of American Independence,” on September 15.
- A lecture on Abraham Lincoln by historian Alan Guelzo of Princeton University in October. Guelzo will also narrate a student orchestral performance of Aaron Copeland’s “A Lincoln Portrait.”
- In 2027, workshops by Tim Eriksen about the American tradition of Sacred Harp / shape note singing.
More about South Carolina’s Declarations
The leaders of South Carolina’s three branches of government spoke in a press conference on March 3. Watch their comments below, courtesy of SC ETV.