American flag and college flag in front of college campus building

CHC Celebrates America250

Upcoming Events

March 24, 2026 – Center for Data & Society Presents: “80 Years of ENIAC: Revisiting the Legacy of the ENIAC 6 with Author, Kathy Kleiman”

In 1946, six women, at the urging of the U.S. Army, joined a project to program the world’s first computer, the ENIAC, at the University of Pennsylvania. Two of these women, Frances Bilas and Kay McNulty Mauchly Antonelli, were fresh off graduating from Chestnut Hill College when they joined the project, forever etching their names in history. But it wasn’t until recently that Bilas, Antonelli, and the other four female programmers, received the recognition for their work.

Kathy Kleiman, author of Proving Ground: The Untold Story of the Six Women Who Programmed the World’s First Modern Computer will lead a discussion about the legacy of the ENIAC 6 in celebration of the ENIAC’s 80th Anniversary. This event is FREE and open to the public.

April 25, 2026 – Dr. David Contosta Presents: “American Independence: 250 Years – A historical perspective on American Independence in 50 year intervals”

Join longtime Professor of History and renowned local historian, David Contosta, Ph.D., for a trip down memory lane. This signature event focuses on what was happening in Philadelphia in 1776, 1826, 1876, 1926, 1976, and 2026. You will not want to miss this engaging and informative discussion about America’s history, especially as it relates to the role Philadelphia played and continues to play. This event is FREE and open to the public.

September 17, 2026 – Annual Recognition of Constitution Day

Get ready to learn more about the United States Constitution during our annual celebration of Constitution Day. Take a sample Citizenship Test, discover your favorite amendment, and learn to write with a feather quill as you sign your name to our giant replica Constitution.

Past Events

February 18, 2026 – Center for Integrated Humanities Presents: “Liberty and Justice…For a Few: Revisiting the Failed 1926 World’s Fair with Local Historian, Thomas Keels”

Most people likely know about the 1876 World’s Fair, held in Philadelphia in celebration of America’s Centennial Anniversary, but do they know about the one held 50 years later? Minus a few bright spots, the fair was a sparsely-attended monumental disaster, ripe with corruption, racism, and greed at the heart of it. That’s why many don’t know the story of the 1926 World’s Fair.

In his talk, Thomas Keels, author of Sesqui! Greed, Graft, and the Forgotten World’s Fair of 1926, will revisit the failures of the Sesquicentennial while looking at how this year’s celebrations can learn from the mistakes of the past.

America 250 – Politics & Film Series

Join the political science department for viewings and discussions of three films, connected to themes of American elections, foreign policy, the two-party system, and more. Space is limited so please contact reichj@chc.edu if you are interested in attending one or more of the events.

February 11, 2 – 4:15 PM – Shirley (2024; John Ridley; Netflix – Runtime 1:57): Starring Regina King, Lance Reddick, Terrence Howard, and more, Shirley tells the story of the 1972 fraught but impactful presidential run of Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman to be elected to the U.S. Congress, representing New York. Chisholm’s journey from campaign through the DNC is chronicled as the film explores the American presidential election process and its shortcomings. Following the film, there will be discussion around the topic: Can the party system in the U.S. yield the best candidates for president?

February 20, 11 AM – 1:30 PM – Recount (2008; Jay Roach and Danny Strong; HBO – Runtime 1:54): Starring Kevin Spacey, Ed Begley Jr., Laura Dern, Denis Leary, and more, Recount, a three-time Emmy Award winning film, tells the story of the 2008 U.S. Presidential Election between Al Gore and George Bush, specifically its aftermath. The film begins with the election, telling the story from the results from the contest all the way through the final Supreme Court ruling over one month later. Following the film, there will be discussion around the topic: Can the electoral system in the U.S. give us the true winner in a presidential race?

February 23, 2 – 4:15 PM – Charlie Wilson’s War (2007; Mike Nichols and Aaron Sorkin; Universal Pictures – Runtime 1:40): Starring Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and more, Charlie Wilson’s War is a biographical dramedy that is based on the true story of Congressman Charlie Wilson and a CIA operative, who spurred Operation Cyclone, a program that ultimately led to the United States supporting Afghanistan during the Soviet-Afghan War in the 1980s. Wilson’s efforts are credited with impacting the Reagan Doctrine, which expanded U.S. efforts in supporting foreign countries with anti-communist resistance movements. Following the film, there will be discussion around the topic: Should basic rights and support for democracies drive American foreign policy?

Visit our America250 SDG Campus Mural

In 2024, Chestnut Hill College and the Sisters of Saint Joseph teamed up with Global Philadelphia Association as part of a citywide mural project commemorating the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. Our mural was based on SDG #15 Life on Land and was designed by local artist Nile Livingston. The mural, which takes inspiration from the Wissahickon across the street from campus, can be found on the College’s campus near the corner of Germantown Ave. This mural, along with the rest of the SDG murals, will be relocated to a central area downtown to be displayed during the America 250 celebration.

Learn More about the SDG #15 Life on Land Mural

In the News

Chestnut Hill College is proud to be an official America250 PA Nonprofit Affiliate. Stay tuned for more events and programs throughout the year as the College helps celebrate alongside the city, state, and country.

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