Interior’s Office of Insular Affairs Awards $30,000 to American Samoa for Freedom 250 Flag Day Celebration

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of the Interior’s Office of Insular Affairs today announced a $30,000 grant to the American Samoa Government to support a Freedom 250 signature event as part of the territory’s 2026 Flag Day celebration. 

The project, “Flag Day Futures: American Samoa Youth Celebrate Freedom 250,” will expand educational and cultural programming tied to the April 17 Flag Day holiday, commemorating the 1900 cession of Tutuila to the United States and more than a century of partnership between American Samoa and the nation. 

Funding will support student-led float construction, artist and educator mentorship, transportation and logistics, cultural workshops, costumes and performance elements, event preparation, safety, documentation and promotion. The initiative will engage high school students in researching, designing and presenting floats that reflect American Samoa’s history, culture and contributions to the United States. 

Freedom 250 represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to tell the full American story, including the vital role of our island territories. American Samoa’s Flag Day celebration highlights a unique and enduring relationship with the United States, grounded in shared values, service to the nation and cultural preservation. 

American Samoa holds a distinct place in the American story, with a history rooted in agreements that preserved traditional culture and governance while establishing a lasting connection to the United States. The territory has made significant military, economic and cultural contributions to the nation and remains a critical part of America’s presence in the Indo-Pacific. 

As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, Interior is prioritizing investments that highlight the histories and contributions of U.S. territories, ensuring they are represented in national commemorations. This project will transform Flag Day into a hands-on educational experience, deepening civic understanding while celebrating Samoan heritage and American democratic ideals. 

The 2026 Flag Day celebration in American Samoa is expected to draw broad community participation and showcase student-created floats at Tafuna Stadium, creating a public platform for youth to share their stories as part of the national Freedom 250 commemoration. 

For more information, visit doi.gov/oia 

 
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