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• The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) is seeking artists to create statues for the National Garden of American Heroes.
• The garden will feature 250 life-size statues of notable American figures, celebrating the nation’s 250th anniversary of independence in 2026.
• A total of $34 million has been committed to the project by NEH and the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA).

Quick Brief

2-Minute Digest

Essential Context

The National Garden of American Heroes, first proposed by President Trump in 2020, aims to honor significant figures from America’s past. The project has been revived following President Trump’s return to office and is part of the celebrations for the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026.

Core Players

• President Trump – President of the United States, initiator of the National Garden of American Heroes project.
• National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) – Funding and overseeing the creation of the statues.
• National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) – Collaborating with NEH on the project.
• Task Force 250 – A task force chaired by the President to prepare for the 250th anniversary celebrations.

Key Numbers

• $34 million – Total funding committed by NEH and NEA for the project.
• $30 million – Amount allocated for FY 2025 to create the statues.
• 250 – Number of life-size statues to be created for the garden.
• 2026 – Year of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

Full Depth

Complete Coverage

The Catalyst

The revival of the National Garden of American Heroes project follows President Trump’s return to office and his signing of Executive Order 13978, “Celebrating America’s Birthday,” on January 29, 2025. This order reinstates the plan to create a grand celebration for the nation’s 250th anniversary.

The project aims to “honor the statesmen, visionaries, and innovators who shaped the nation,” according to the NEH.

Inside Forces

The National Garden of American Heroes has faced significant challenges since its initial proposal. The project was previously canceled by President Biden but has been reinstated with President Trump’s return. The lack of a confirmed site and funding from Congress had also hindered its progress.

The NEH and NEA are now working together to ensure the project’s completion, with a deadline for grant applications set for July 1, 2025.

Power Dynamics

President Trump holds significant influence over the project as its initiator and the chair of Task Force 250. The NEH and NEA, under the leadership of their respective chairs, play crucial roles in funding and overseeing the creation of the statues.

The project’s success depends on the collaboration between these entities and the artists selected for the grants.

Outside Impact

The National Garden of American Heroes has broader implications for American culture and history. It will serve as a public space for Americans to learn about and honor their national heroes.

Historians and scholars have questioned the selection process for the statues, describing it as random and scattershot. This criticism highlights the ongoing debate about how American history should be represented and celebrated.

Future Forces

Looking ahead, the project’s completion will depend on the timely selection of artists and the construction of the garden. The site for the garden is yet to be determined, which remains a critical step in the project’s progress.

The garden is expected to be a significant part of the celebrations for the 250th anniversary of American independence, making its completion by 2026 a priority.

Data Points

• 2020: President Trump first proposes the National Garden of American Heroes.
• 2021: President Biden revokes Trump’s executive orders related to the garden.
• January 29, 2025: President Trump signs Executive Order 13978, reviving the project.
• July 1, 2025: Deadline for grant applications for the statue creation.
• 2026: Target year for the completion of the National Garden of American Heroes.