As America approaches its 250th anniversary, millions of people will celebrate the nation's founding with parades, festivals, fireworks and other commemorative events. Yet for me, America 250 became something much more personal. It became a journey of discovery -- one that transformed history from something I reported on into something I inherited.
Denella Ri'chard is the host of the TV show "Traveling With Denella." She is a former executive with Holland America Line, Norwegian Cruise Line and Hilton and is a consultant and industry speaker.
Through my weekly television series, "Traveling With Denella," I have explored destinations, cultures and immersive experiences around the globe while encouraging travelers to see the world through a deeper lens. But during the research for our special television event, "Traveling With Denella: America 250," I uncovered a story that changed the way I viewed American history -- and my place within it.
Through genealogical research, I discovered that I am a seventh-generation descendant of Pierre Richard, a white soldier from Louisiana who served during the American Revolution as part of the Opelousas militia under Spanish governor Bernardo de Galvez. Long before Louisiana became part of the U.S. -- it was then Spanish territory -- Pierre Richard, and countless others, were helping defend the Gulf Coast and weaken British strongholds along the Lower Mississippi Valley.
Like many Americans, I grew up learning about George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and the Continental Army. What I didn't learn was how international the fight for American independence truly was. Spain played a critical role in supporting the colonies, and Galvez led military campaigns that helped drive British forces from key positions in Baton Rouge, La.; Natchez, Miss.; Mobile, Ala.; and Pensacola, Fla. Those victories helped secure the Gulf Coast and diverted British resources away from the Colonies.
When I learned that my ancestor was among those who served in that effort, history suddenly became more than a chapter in a textbook.
It became family.
Daughter of the Revolution
That discovery led me to become a member of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). The decision to join was more meaningful during this semiquincentennial period.
Founded in 1890, the organization preserves the stories and sacrifices of those who contributed to the cause of American independence.
Membership in the DAR requires direct, documented bloodline descent from a patriot who supported the cause of American independence during the Revolutionary War. Through extensive genealogical research, I was able to prove my direct lineage to Pierre Richard and establish my eligibility for membership.
More than a lineage society, the DAR is dedicated to historic preservation, education and patriotism. Its founders understood that as generations passed, personal connections to the Revolution could be lost. Their mission was to ensure those stories would continue to inspire future generations.
Today, that mission feels more important than ever.
We live in a time when history is often reduced to headlines, sound bites and social media posts. Yet history is not simply about dates and documents. History is about people. It is about understanding the sacrifices that shaped our freedoms and recognizing that America's story belongs to all of us.
As I researched my family history, I was especially moved by the complexity of Louisiana's Revolutionary-era story. While my ancestor, Pierre Richard, served under Spanish command, many free and freedom-seeking men of African descent also served in military forces throughout the Gulf Coast region. Some earned their freedom through military service. Others rose to positions of prominence through courage, leadership and sacrifice. Their contributions remind us that the American story has always been more diverse, interconnected and nuanced than many realize.
Those discoveries became the inspiration behind the television program, Traveling With Denella: America 250.
The show
Where to watch
"Traveling With Denella: America 250," winner of the Gold Telly Award in the History and Silver People's Telly Award, airs on ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox affiliates through July 5. Check www.travelingwithdenella.com or Instagram for local listings or stream on YouTube.
Produced as a one-hour cinematic television event airing nationally in nearly 100 U.S. cities between May 30 and July 5, the program invites viewers to explore the people, places and stories that shaped our nation.
For this special production, I traveled to Boston, Philadelphia, and Lafayette, La. Rather than focusing solely on well-known historical landmarks, we sought to uncover lesser-known narratives, regional perspectives, inclusive stories and cultural influences that contributed to America's founding and growth.
My destination partners -- Lafayette Travel, Meet Boston and Visit Philadelphia -- helped bring these stories to life.
At the heart of all my television productions is travel. Travel has a unique ability to bring history to life. Reading about a battlefield is one experience; standing on that ground is another. Reading about a historic community is informative; walking its streets and hearing the stories of its descendants creates an entirely different connection.
That is why travel matters during America 250.
The anniversary is not simply an opportunity to commemorate the past. It is an invitation to explore it. Every destination has a story. Every community has contributed to the American experience. By traveling, we become participants in preserving those stories rather than passive observers of them.
There is a growing desire among Americans to reconnect with history in meaningful ways. As we celebrate 250 years of independence, I hope travelers will look beyond the familiar narratives and discover the stories waiting in their own family trees, hometowns and communities. You may find, as I did, that history is not as distant as it seems.
For me, America 250 is more than an anniversary. It is a reminder that freedom is inherited, but it must also be protected. It is a reminder that our nation's story is still being written.
And it is a reminder that sometimes the most meaningful journey we can take is the one that leads us home.
______________________________________
Interested in submitting a Forum for consideration? Read our guidelines.