Virtual Book Club Launched In State
The Montana 250th Commission is launching a yearlong series of virtual events designed to build excitement around the United States’ 250th birthday in 2026.
“Montana Reads: The Treasure State’s Book Club” is a monthly online book discussion that will cover exciting topics and figures from United States, Montana and tribal history.
Each month, a member of the Montana 250th Commission will lead a presentation and discussion on books that explore myriad aspects of our shared history - from the Founding Fathers to Montana statesmen and women, cultural traditions to amazing innovation. These monthly discussions will feature conversations around the books’ central themes, seeking applications to current challenges and initiatives facing our state and nation.
Montanans are encouraged to participate in any and all of these events that they find interesting, and where possible to read the book in advance.
All “Montana Reads” events will be held by Zoom on the second Thursday of each month, from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. mountain time. The commission is excited to share these stories with all Montanans and will be bringing in special guests where possible to further bring this history to life.
The summer and fall lineup of events includes: Aug. 14 – Rush: Revolution, Madness & the Visionary Doctor Who Became a Founding Father, by Stephen Fried (Part II); Sept. 11 – The Only Plane in the Sky: An Oral History of 9/11, by Garrett Graff and Oct. 9 – Mansfield and Dirksen: Bipartisan Giants of the Senate, by Marc Johnson Registration links for September and October are forthcoming. To register for events, visit https://mths. mt.gov/education/index1. You will then be sent a Zoom link for that individual event. Please email laura.marsh@mt.gov for any registration issues.
The 2023 Montana Legislature passed House Bill 377, establishing the Montana 250th Commission to coordinate statewide efforts to commemorate the United States Semiquincentennial.
