250 Years of America and Its Russian-American Heritage

To commemorate the 250th Anniversary of the United States in 2026, and to highlight the people, places, and stories of Russian-American heritage that helped shape our country, the Congress of Russian Americans (CRA), the Russophone Los Angeles Research Collective, and Russkaya Zhizn’ invite you to participate in a special creative project.

Project Overview

Participants are invited to create an 8-page handmade mini-book dedicated to a Russian-American individual, cultural event, or historic landmark that contributed to the history of the United States.

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What to Create

• An 8-page mini-book
• Handwritten text with original drawings or illustrations
• Topic examples include:
  • A Russian American who contributed to sports, arts, science, medicine, engineering, or military service
  • A cultural or religious event
  • A landmark significant to U.S. and Russian-American history

Front Cover (Required Layout)

The front cover must include all of the following:

1. Common title:
   “250 Years of America and Its Russian-American Heritage”
2. Your specific title
   (the person, event, or landmark you chose) — placed under the main title
3. Author’s name
4. City and State of residence

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Format Requirements

• Use standard paper: 8” × 10”
• Fold into a mini-book approximately 4” high × 2.5” wide
• Eight pages total (the front cover counts as one page)
• A simple back cover is optional

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Where the Mini-Books Will Go

Completed mini-books will be collected by the Congress of Russian Americans and formally presented to:

• The Library of Congress
• The White House
• The U.S. National Archives

as part of the national 250th-anniversary observance.

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How to Submit

• Place the mini-book in a sheet protector or envelope
• Include a note inside with:
  • Author’s name
  • Age / grade (if applicable)
  • School or city
  • Specific title of the mini-book
  • Contact email and/or phone number
• Mail (postmarked no later than April 30, 2026) to:

Ivan Podvalov
10345 Wilkins Ave., #201
Los Angeles, CA 90024

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Questions?

📧 Ivan Podvalov
Email: ivanpodvalov@yahoo.com

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Each year, Congress of Russian Americans prepares gifts for children at various Russian Schools for their Christmas programs.  This year, over 70 candy tins filled with Russian and American candy, gifts, stickers and other trinkets were presented to Russian Schools (including San Francisco, Burlingame, Sacramento, Sparks, NV and other locations in the U.S.), as well as gifts for baskets to the Russian senior community, which the Sts.Peter & Paul church assembled in Santa Rosa.   CRA wishes all a most happy and blessed Christmas and New Year to all our members, friends and their families.

Christ is Born! Glorify Him!

Bright and joyful days of one of the greatest Christian feasts — the Nativity of Christ — are approaching.
We sincerely congratulate all Orthodox Christians on the Feast of the Nativity of Christ.
May the peace, joy, and light of the Bethlehem Star illuminate your homes and hearts, strengthen your faith, and grant you health, well-being, and spiritual strength.

Wishing all of our members, friends, donors a most happy and joyous New Year!

Congress of Russian Americans wishes all of our members, donors, supporters a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, all the best for the holidays!