“We must, indeed, all hang together or, most assuredly, we shall all hang separately.”
Benjamin Franklin
July 4, 1776
Our Mission Statement:
The America’s Semiquincentennial Committee for North Carolina is committed to commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States by highlighting North Carolina’s pivotal role in the nation’s founding and development. Through historical education, public events, and community engagement, we aim to showcase the people, places, and events that shaped our state’s legacy—from the Mecklenburg Declaration to the battlegrounds of independence. We are dedicated to exploring and preserving the unique stories of North Carolina’s towns, counties, and communities whose histories contribute to the broader American experience. Our mission is to foster a deeper appreciation of North Carolina’s contributions to American history and to encourage a spirit of reflection and pride as we mark this historic milestone.
Background of information:
Dr. Troy Kickler
Received a Ph.D in History from the University of Tennessee. He directed a historical non-profit endeavor (North Carolina History Project) for 12 years. He also was Colonial Records Editor for the state of North Carolina. He has published with various presses, including University of North Carolina Press, New York University Press, and Notre Dame University Press. His work has been nominated for the Old North State Award, and with Frank Hill, he won first prize for weekly publication editorial pages by the North Carolina Press Association. He has served as Chairman of the NC Clean Water Management Fund, President of the Friends of the Archives, Trustee for the NC Natural Heritage Trust Fund, Trustee of the NC Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission, and Board Member of the Roanoke Island Historical Commission. He has taught at the University of Tennessee (5 years) and North Carolina State University (7 years).
Grace Obsitnik
Born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio. Attended the University of Cincinnati and received an honors diploma in both Secondary Education and History. Upon graduation, was granted a Fulbright Scholarship to Slovakia. Once completed, moved to Edinburgh, Scotland to complete her MSc in Sports Policy, Management and International Development. She and her husband then lived in Bratislava, Slovakia, as she helped to run the international program at a local secondary school. Moved to North Carolina in January of 2025, and is loving every minute of it!