Happy Birthday, America!
No matter where you stand politically – there is something to celebrate as the 250th anniversary of American independence is upon us. At every point in history, there are people who align with the leaders, and people who disagree, as well as people who thrive and people who struggle. If you pause, you can look back at the history that came before you and recognize how different your life might be had people not fought for the freedoms you benefit from today. That is what we’re celebrating in this month’s issue of Princeton Perspectives, From 1776 to Today, Princeton Celebrates America at 250!
How do you plan to celebrate Independence Day in 2026? We asked locals, and they are looking forward to some fun! Maybe you can join in? Perhaps they’ll give you an idea you hadn’t thought of…so check out what they have to share in this month’s Pulse of Princeton.
There is no denying the turning point of the American Revolution happened right here, in our area. Have you ever taken the time to study the local history, visit the historic sites, or think about who took part and why? We asked our readers to reflect on the opportunities all around, and hope their insights enlighten you. You can read them all in How Locals Connect to the History and Pride of America.
Feeling inspired? Perhaps you want to take advantage of the many cultural, community and historic events taking place in honor of the 250th year. The article Happy Birthday, America! Join in Celebration all Summer Long! shares a little something for everyone. Read it now to plan your calendar for the coming months!
You’ve likely heard about the most famous Revolutionaries (like George Washington), but there were so many others that stepped up to enact change. The Revolutionary Heart of Princeton identifies some key, and often lesser-known, contributors and the impact their actions had.
Would you have stepped up if you lived in that day? Many were just going about their lives when the revolution struck. What was it like then? Princeton and Independence, July 1776 takes you into the life of everyday Princetonians.
Perspectives Revisited provides you with updates on things we’ve covered in the past. This month, we’re sharing some important municipal information. If you live in Princeton, read more about what you may need to know before making changes on your property, and how you would like to stay informed on changes that may come.
As another school year comes to an end, we are grateful you are taking time to read our June issue of Princeton Perspectives. There is so much that divides us these days. Perhaps during the summer months we can take a moment to remember what unites us – and be grateful we are all living here, pursuing our dreams, together.
Lisa Jacknow spent years working in national and local news in and around New York City before moving to Princeton. Working as both a TV producer and news reporter, Lisa came to this area to focus on the local news of Mercer County at WZBN-TV. In recent years, she got immersed in the Princeton community by serving leadership roles at local schools in addition to volunteering for other local non-profits. In her free time, Lisa loves to spend time with her family, play tennis, sing and play the piano. A graduate of the S. I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University, Lisa was raised just north of Boston, Massachusetts but has lived in the tri-state area since college. She is excited to be Editor and head writer for Princeton Perspectives!