The Daughters of the American Revolution and the Queen Sofía Spanish Institute Host a Symposium to Spotlight Spain's Contributions to the American Revolution

Spain and the Birth of American Democracy: A History Symposium, with free lectures, panel discussions, displays, and activities, will profile Spanish contributions to America's freedom

Free symposium Sept. 19-20, 2025 in Washington will be the second symposium of QSSI's America&Spain250 initiative and a cornerstone event in DAR's America250 programming marking the 250^th anniversary of America's founding

WASHINGTON, April 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- On Friday, Sept. 19 and Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, Spain and the Birth of American Democracy: A History Symposium will be presented in Constitution Hall at the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) headquarters in Washington, D.C. A cornerstone event in DAR's America250 celebrations, the two-day event is hosted by DAR in conjunction with the Queen Sofía Spanish Institute (QSSI) and the Fundación Ramón Areces (FRA).

This event marks the official U.S. launch of QSSI's America&Spain250 initiative to celebrate 250 years of the shared past, present and continued friendship between the United States, Spain, and the Spanish-speaking world. The symposium will feature free academic lectures, panel discussions and booth displays that profile the specific historical events and the impact of Spain's involvement in the American Revolution which led to the ultimate achievement of America obtaining independence from Great Britain.

All events at the symposium will be free and open to the public, although registration will be required. Please register for the symposium using the Eventbrite page here. This is the second such symposium hosted by QSSI and FRA under the America&Spain250 initiative; the first event was held in May 2024 in Madrid. The Cultural Office of the Embassy of Spain in the United States is also lending support, joining DAR, QSSI and FRA.

"It is a great honor for the QSSI to partner with a like-minded institution such as the DAR, to highlight Spain's often-overlooked contributions to the American Revolution. Our goal is to provide a new perspective on the study of the American Revolution, especially by examining it in the context of a global war," said Maria Begonia Santos, President & CEO of the Queen Sofía Spanish Institute. "Our organizations share a mission in promoting education, history and patriotism. DAR is the perfect partner in this initiative to explore the shared history of our countries."

Scholars and other experts, led by QSSI's Academic Director Richard L. Kagan, PhD, will provide details about Spanish Patriots and their contributions to American independence. Less widely known facts about the Revolutionary War and Spain's involvement will be showcased, including Spain's secret aid to the colonies and the role of the Spanish Navy alongside the French against the British.

"A prime objective at DAR is to shine a light on the historical accomplishments of Revolutionary War Patriots, many of them underrepresented, and tell of their bravery, sacrifice and honor," said Pamela Wright, DAR President General. "It is our hope that, through events like this upcoming symposium, we illuminate the contributions of all Patriots who fought for our country's freedom, including those from Spain."

To learn more about the participation of Spain in the American Revolution, visit the educational platform "Spanish Influence on American History" developed by the QSSI in partnership with the Gilder Lerhman Institute of American History and the Royal Academy of History of Spain containing primary sources, lesson plans, videos by historians, etc.

DAR provides a variety of resources to help people research their Spanish Patriots through the DAR Library and DAR member volunteer genealogists who specialize in Spanish research. At the upcoming September symposium, Spain and the Birth of American Democracy, many examples of Spanish Patriots will be profiled including the pivotal impact of Bernardo de Gálvez.

Before Spain entered the war, Gálvez corresponded with Patrick Henry, Thomas Jefferson, and Charles Henry Lee. It was Gálvez and his men who secured the port of New Orleans so that only American, Spanish, and French ships could access the Mississippi River, a main thoroughfare for supplies. It was also Gálvez who directed a joint land-sea attack on Pensacola, then the British capital of West Florida, securing the capture of Fort George. When Spain formally declared war against Great Britain, King Carlos III commissioned Gálvez to raise a force of men and conduct a campaign against the British. He famously worked with Texas governor Domingo Cabello y Robles to round up 10,000 Texas cattle and deliver them to feed Spanish forces in Louisiana.

On Dec. 16, 2014, the U.S. Congress conferred honorary citizenship on Gálvez, citing him as a "hero of the Revolutionary War who risked his life for the freedom of the United States people and provided supplies, intelligence, and strong military support to the war effort."

DAR's other America250 initiatives, including service projects, various scholarships, the E Pluribus Unum Educational Initiative highlighting underrepresented Revolutionary Patriots, as well as other national and local events will also be part of the organization's contributions to the America250 celebrations. Find out more about DAR's plan to honor the country's founding at www.dar.org/America250.

Updates on schedule, sessions, and events for the Spain and the Birth of American Democracy symposium will be posted on the Eventbrite page, as well as www.dar.org and www.queensofiaspanishinstitute.org.

About the Queen Sofía Spanish Institute (QSSI)
The Queen Sofía Spanish Institute (QSSI) was founded in 1954 to stimulate interest in the United States in the culture, art, literature and history of Spanish-speaking countries, and to promote among Spanish-speaking people knowledge and understanding of the ideals, culture and customs of the people of the United States.

The QSSI is named after its patroness, Her Majesty Queen Sofia of Spain, mother of the current King of Spain, Felipe VI. The QSSI is governed by a Board of Trustees and, as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit New York-based charitable organization, is supported through the generosity of individuals, corporations and foundations. For more information, visit www.queensofiaspanishinstitute.org.

About the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR)
The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) was founded in 1890 to preserve the memory and spirit of those who contributed to securing American independence. As one of the largest patriotic women's service organizations in the world, DAR has nearly 190,000 members in approximately 3,000 chapters around the world. DAR members promote the three pillars of historic preservation, education and patriotism via commemorative events, scholarships and educational initiatives, citizenship programs, service to veterans, meaningful community service and more. The DAR is also a renowned genealogical repository which includes the DAR Library, one of the largest genealogical research centers in the United States, and the DAR Genealogical Research System (GRS), a free online database of information amassed by the DAR. For additional information about DAR and its relevant mission, visit www.dar.org.

Media Contacts:

Daughters of the American Revolution
Bren Landon
202-572-0563
[email protected]

Queen Sofía Spanish Institute
Celia Maldonado      
212.628.0420   
[email protected] 

SOURCE Daughters of the American Revolution