The Declaration of Independence: A 250th Anniversary Examination

This February, the LMU Bellarmine College of Liberal Arts presents a month-long series of events examining the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence—its legacy, its contradictions, and its continued relevance today.

Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026

Women and the Declaration

5-6:30 p.m.
Ahmanson Auditorium, UH 1000

Chair: Stella Oh, Professor of Women's and Gender Studies
Panel: Sina Kramer, Professor and Chair of Women's and Gender Studies
Feryal Charif, Associate Professor of Political Science and International Relations
Carla Bittel, Professor of History

Monday, Feb. 9, 2026

Slavery and the Declaration

5-6:30 p.m.
VDA Family Suite, William H. Hannon Library

Chair: Cheryl Grills, Professor Emeritus of Psychology
Panel: Chaya Crowder, Associate Professor of Political Science and International Relations
Marne Campbell, Professor and Chair of African American Studies

Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026

Dissecting the Declaration

5-6:30 p.m.
Seaver Hall 100

Keynote: Michael Genovese, President of Global Policy Institute and Professor of Political Science and International Relations

Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026

The Declaration, the Rule of Law, and the Limits of Democracy

5-6:30 p.m.
Ahmanson Auditorium, UH 1000

Keynote: Jessica Levinson, Clinical Professor of Law
Director, Public Service Institute
Director, Journalist Law School
Loyola Law School