250th Commemorative Conference

America’s Founding: Legacy and Influence

April 17–18, 2026 in the Liberty University School of Business

Hosted by the Department of History

Join Liberty University for a multidisciplinary academic conference commemorating the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. This historic event will bring together students, faculty, and scholars to explore America’s Christian heritage, the development of its constitutional ideals, and its influence around the world.

Questions? Contact the Department of History at history@liberty.edu.

Call for Papers

To commemorate the 250th anniversary of America’s Founding in 1776, the Liberty University Department of History invites students (undergraduate and graduate) and faculty to submit papers and panel proposals for a multidisciplinary conference exploring the historical, cultural, religious, political, and social dimensions of this pivotal moment and its enduring impact. The conference seeks to foster innovative discussions about the founding of the United States and its ongoing influence across time and contexts.

Submissions will address the American Founding, broadly defined. Topics may include, but are not limited to:

• The religious, intellectual, and philosophical origins of the American Revolution
• Christianity’s unique role in America’s founding         
• Key figures, events, and documents of the Founding era
• The global context and impact of America’s Founding
• The legacy of the Founding in shaping American identity, governance, and culture
• Comparative perspectives on revolutions and nation-building
• The Founding’s influence on contemporary debates in politics, law, and society
• The evolution of Founding ideals in subsequent historical periods

Papers and panels are not limited to the Founding era but may explore its long-term implications and reinterpretations across history.

Submission Guidelines

• Paper Proposals: Submit an abstract of 250–300 words and a brief CV (1–2 pages).
• Panel Proposals: Submit a 250-word panel description, including the panel title, a brief rationale, and abstracts for each paper (250–300 words each), along with CVs for all panelists. Panels should consist of three presenters.
• Format: Send submissions as PDF attachments to history@liberty.edu.
• Deadline: January 15, 2026. Notifications of acceptance will be sent by February 15, 2026.
  

Conference format

• Paper presentations will be allocated 15 minutes each, followed by Q&A depending on time.
• Panels will be scheduled for 60-minute sessions.
• The conference will also feature keynote addresses and a tour of the Liberty University Chaplains Museum.
  

Additional Information

The conference will be held in the School of Business building on the campus of Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia.  Selected papers will be considered for publication in a special issue of Bound Away, the History Department’s graduate student journal.

Direct further inquiries to history@liberty.edu. 

We look forward to your contributions to this landmark event examining and celebrating the legacy of America’s Founding.

Keynote Address – April 17, 2026

Maj. Gen. USMC (Ret.) Jason Bohm
Dean, Helms School of Government, Liberty University
Author of Washington’s Marines (2023)

We are honored to welcome Maj. Gen. USMC (Ret.) Jason Bohm,
Dean of the Helms School of Government, as our keynote speaker,
sharing insights on the intersection of history, governance, and service.

Maj. Gen. Bohm brings over 34 years of distinguished military service, including leadership roles in Marine Corps Training and Recruiting Commands and NATO operations. A decorated officer and award-winning author, he offers a unique perspective on the intersection of history, governance, and Christian leadership.