Montgomery County, Maryland, officially founded on September 6, 1776, will observe its 250th birthday throughout September 2026. County Executive Marc Elrich says the milestone offers a chance to honor the county’s growth from a farming community to the state’s most populous jurisdiction, while also confronting the more difficult chapters of its past.
Celebrating history and community achievements
Throughout the month, a series of events will spotlight the people, places and moments that shaped Montgomery County. One highlight honors Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the founder of the Special Olympics. In 1968 she opened the first Special Olympics at Chicago’s Soldier Field, and six years earlier she began Camp Shriver in the backyard of her Montgomery County home to serve children with intellectual disabilities.
“With these words on their lips, let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt,” Shriver recalled saying at the inaugural ceremony. The camp, inspired by her sister Rosemary Kennedy’s own challenges, grew to host roughly 100 athletes and volunteers daily, offering horseback riding, archery and obstacle courses. Today, more than 5.5 million athletes worldwide participate in Special Olympics programs.
Labor‑Day traditions and local parades
The anniversary weekend also includes two long‑standing Labor‑Day celebrations. The Kensington Labor Day Parade and Festival and the Gaithersburg Labor Day Parade will both take place on Monday, September 7, featuring community groups, performers, local organizations and elected officials.
Remembering September 11
Later in the week, Montgomery County will observe the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. A memorial ceremony is scheduled for Friday, September 11, from 8:45 a.m. to 10 a.m. at Courthouse Square Park in Rockville, near Maryland Avenue and Jefferson Street. The service will honor the nearly 3,000 victims of the attacks, including 11 Montgomery County residents, as well as first responders and countless others who aided in the aftermath.
“September 11 remains a painful part of our nation’s history and a deeply personal loss for many families in Montgomery County,” Elrich said.
Learn more and get involved
Residents can find full details about the anniversary programming at Montgomery250.org. The county encourages families, faith groups and civic organizations to participate, reinforcing the shared values of faith, family and liberty that have guided the community for two and a half centuries.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
