In collaboration with our community partners, we’re hosting five events to facilitate intergenerational dialogue about American Democracy.

Each discussion will focus on a specific phrase from the Declaration of Independence. The event will begin with a short presentation on the historical context of each phrase and why it was included in the Declaration. Program participants will then break into facilitated small group discussions to reflect on:

• What do these founding principles mean to you?

• How have things changed in our society since 1776?

• How have these principles been upheld?

• What impact do they still have on our nation today?

At the end of each discussion, participants will be given information on how to get more involved in our community and become more civically engaged.

This is the second discussion of the series and will focus on the "Pursuit of Happiness." The historical context will be provided by Erik Rankin, Instructional Assistant Professor in the Department of Politics and Government at Illinois State University and President and CEO of the Illinois Prairie Community Foundation.

We will meet at the Bloomington-Normal YMCA, located at 202 St. Joseph Dr. in Bloomington.

Registration is encouraged but not required to participate. Please visit https://bit.ly/Democracy1776 to register.

Our Democracy Dialogues series is made possible with the support of our community partners: Illinois State University, WGLT, The Dirksen Congressional Center, Not in our Town B-N, Prairie Pride Coalition, Illinois State University Center for Civic Engagement, YWCA McLean County, Bloomington-Normal YMCA, Heartland Community College, NAACP, and the McLean County League of Women Voters.

Want to know more about this series and how we're marking this historic milestone? Head on over to mchistory.org/250 for more information.

Questions? Please contact us by clicking here.