America’s 250

America’s 250

Photo: EZ 99.7


,America’s 250th anniversary isn’t just a milestone — it’s an experience you can explore firsthand. Across Illinois, and right here in Central Illinois, historic homes, courthouses, museums, college campuses, downtown districts, and memorials offer a glimpse into the stories that shaped our nation and our communities. Follow the trail of presidential history in Springfield, Galena, Dixon, Tampico, Eureka, and Chicago — or start closer to home with historic sites in Champaign, Urbana, Mahomet, Monticello, Rantoul, and Danville.

Thank you to our Sponsor:


Local History Spotlight

Local History Spotlight

We’re surrounded by history everywhere we go, and that’s no different in East Central Illinois! Learn about local history here!

Presidential Illinois

Illinois has played a hand in the lives of several U.S. presidents. From Springfield to Eureka, learn all about it here!

Visit the History

There’s plenty of historical sites you can visit around Illinois. Here’s a guide to all of them that you can use.

Battlefields and Frontiers

While Illinois wasn’t in the frontline of large war campaigns, there’s still historical sites leftover. Check them out!

Other Military History Sites

There’s also plenty of other significant historical military sites across the state. Read here to learn about them!

Random Facts

C-U and beyond has a history shaped by agriculture, railroads, and the growth of the University of Illinois. Learn about that here:

05

Recent Headlines

23 hours ago in Entertainment

Choose ‘Trainspotting’: Ewan McGregor and Danny Boyle reflect on the life-changing film

Ewan McGregor, for a fleeting moment after "Trainspotting" came out, felt like a rock star. The kinetic film about four heroin addicts in late-1980s Scotland was and, 30 years later, remains defining — in his career, in the culture and in his understanding of what true artistic satisfaction can feel like.

23 hours ago in Entertainment

What to watch for at the Tony Awards on Broadway’s biggest night

Twenty-four shows on Broadway received Tony Award nominations this season, but not all will walk away with a trophy and the box office attention they usually bring.

2 days ago in Entertainment, Music

Dutch court allows rapper Ye concerts in the Netherlands

A judge in Amsterdam on Wednesday rejected an appeal by a Jewish organization to block two performances by the rapper Ye, formerly Kanye West, ruling that the concerts are not a threat to public order.

2 days ago in Entertainment

Shia LaBeouf gets probation after pleading guilty to punching bargoers during Mardi Gras

Actor Shia LaBeouf was sentenced to probation Wednesday after pleading guilty to punching three people outside a New Orleans bar during Mardi Gras.

2 days ago in Entertainment

Lawyers for Lively and Baldoni battle in a New York court despite settling claims weeks ago

On Monday, lawyers for Blake Lively were back in court, trying to get a judge to make Baldoni pay her legal bills plus other penalties. They said she's entitled to the money under a California law because Justin Baldoni's countersuit, which claimed she had defamed and extorted him, was thrown out last year by a judge.