With America’s 250th birthday happening this year, CBS is hosting the Presidential 1776 Award special to mark the conclusion of the first-ever nationwide civics challenge.
Mario Lopez will be hosting the nationally televised broadcast special accompanying the competition, helping spotlight the stories and achievements of students from across the country.
“The Presidential 1776 Award is a unique opportunity to celebrate students who are passionate about civic knowledge and the American story,” Mario said in a statement. “I’m honored to be part of something that shines a light on these bright young people who will carry our nation into the future.”
What is the Presidential 1776 Award?
The competition was “created to celebrate America’s?top?high school students?and?their?knowledge of our nation’s founding principles.?The Presidential 1776 Award National Finals will bring the top?performers from each region?to the nation’s capital for a live, in-person competition, testing their knowledge of the Constitution, America’s founding principles, and defining moments in U.S. history. “
The?program “establishes a national scholarship competition designed to promote civic literacy and celebrate academic excellence.”
More about the rules and rounds
The Presidential 1776 Award?competition?is?comprised of?three?stages, according to CBS.
Round One: During the week of February 22 to 28, 2026, students?competed?in The Impossible Civics Test, an online, timed, electronically proctored multiple-choice exam.?Four finalists from each state?and territory?advanced.?
Round Two:?On May 2, 2026,?173?state finalists?competed?in one of five in-person regional semifinal competitions. During these?oral?competitions, students answered short-answer questions that tested their understanding of the Constitution, the America’s founding, and key moments in our nation’s history. The top four students from each region advanced to the National Final.?
Round Three:?The National Final will take place in Washington, D.C. on June 9, 2026. Students will?compete in an?oral?academic competition?earning points for eachcorrect answer.?The top three?finalists will?win a total of $250,000 in scholarship prizes.??
Multiple-choice and?oral?examinations for all three rounds were developed independently by the?James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation.?
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