America's 250th Journey
USA TODAY releases 'Our American Journeys' book celebrating 250 years of America
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USA TODAY is releasing a 160-page hardcover book called *Our American Journeys* to mark America's 250th birthday on July 4, 2026. The book connects U.S. history to real places you can still visit today, covering stories like the Oregon Trail, the Space Race, and Route 66, according to USA TODAY. Pre-orders are open now at $35.96 — a 20% discount off the $44.95 retail price — with shipping set for November 13, 2026.
The book arrives as America's 250th anniversary sparks a wave of commemorative products and national events. Pediment Publishing, which is handling production, said the hardcover measures 11.25" x 8.75" and features stunning photography alongside narrative journeys through American history, per Pediment Publishing.
History Told Through Places You Can Visit
The book's central idea is simple: history comes alive when you can go there yourself. Each chapter ties a major American story to a real-world destination still standing today. The Oregon Trail, Route 66, and the Space Race all get their own journeys, according to Des Moines Register.
Readers follow narrative-driven chapters built around photography and travel. The book covers "the towns that gold built" and blues joints along the Mississippi. The goal is to make U.S. history feel less like a textbook and more like a road trip you could actually take.
Pre-Order Discount and Holiday Gift Timing
Pre-orders opened May 27, 2026, with an early-bird deal of 20% off. That brings the price from $44.95 down to $35.96. Shipping is a flat $7.95 for up to 10 copies, per Pediment Publishing. The November 13 ship date is timed to hit shelves before the holiday gift-buying season.
The book misses the actual July 4 anniversary by about four months. But analysts see the November window as smart — it captures holiday shoppers looking for meaningful gifts. History and travel buffs are the clear target audience, per Lansing State Journal.
America's 250th Is a Crowded and Contested Space
The anniversary has two competing planning bodies. Congress created the America250 Commission in 2016 to run an "inclusive" national celebration. Then in January 2025, President Trump signed an executive order creating a separate White House task force called "Freedom 250," according to Axios. The two groups have created branding confusion for corporate partners.
High-profile artists have pulled out of Freedom 250 events over political concerns, per Cape Cod Times. Trump has described the anniversary as "the greatest political journey in human history." That kind of language puts media companies like USA TODAY in a tough spot — they need to appeal to all Americans, not just one side.
Why 'Journey' Framing May Be the Safest Story
USA TODAY's book leans hard into the "nation on the move" idea. By focusing on roads, trails, and rocket launches, it sidesteps the culture war fight over which parts of history to highlight or hide. *TIME Magazine* has noted that federal planners faced criticism for "sidestepping slavery" in favor of founders and freedom themes, per TIME.
The travel-focused angle also taps a massive market. The U.S. travel industry is worth $1.1 trillion, according to IndyStar. Cities like Philadelphia are already marketing themselves as must-see destinations for 2026. A book that doubles as a travel guide has built-in commercial appeal beyond pure history buffs.
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