Former U.S. Presidents contribute to 250th-anniversary essay project

Former U.S. Presidents George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Bill Clinton are contributing essays to the "In Pursuit" project, a series marking the 250th anniversary of the United States. The project features writings from historians and public figures regarding 43 presidents and 30 first ladies, released weekly through December.

Curated by Colleen Shogan, the former U.S. archivist, the initiative aims to provide historical lessons from American successes and failures. Shogan instructed contributors to remain non-partisan and non-ideological. The project excludes current President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump, as they were deemed too recent for historical appraisal.

While the series was designed to transcend modern politics, several essays reflect contemporary concerns regarding presidential power, the integrity of the office, and the health of American democracy. For example, George W. Bush's essay on George Washington emphasizes the importance of humility and adhering to the limits of the presidency.