Two Lights for Tomorrow

Two Lights for Tomorrow is a nationwide initiative to commence the celebration of the 250th birthday of the United States of America. The famous ride of Paul Revere occurred overnight on April 18 – 19, 1775. Two Lights for Tomorrow commemorates that famous ride and uses the imagery of that shining light today as a uniting call to action for our citizens to celebrate and serve. 

We invite educators, parents, and students to complete the following activities to participate in this nationwide campaign.

Activities:

Paul Revere’s Ride Interactive Timeline

Create a large timeline on the classroom wall or at home, marking key 1775 events leading up to April 18th. Students can add illustrations and facts about Paul Revere’s ride.

Two Lights Diorama

Students create dioramas depicting the “Two Lights” signal from the Old North Church. Use shoe boxes, LED lights, and craft materials.

Midnight Ride Comic Strip

Students design a 6-panel comic strip illustrating Paul Revere’s famous ride, emphasizing the importance of communication during the American Revolution.

Lantern Craft

Materials: Mason jars, battery-operated tea lights, construction paper

Instructions: Cut colonial-lantern-inspired designs from construction paper and glue them to the outside of the jar. Place the electric candle inside to create a “signal lantern.”

Paul Revere’s Ride Scavenger Hunt

Create a list of items related to the midnight ride (e.g., horse, lantern, church) for students to find around their home or neighborhood.

Family History “Ride”

Students ask parents to share a story about their heritage using the America250 in Idaho “Echoes of Idaho” story-capturing portal to reflect on their own “journey” through history.