America 250 stopped in Columbia Tuesday as part of the Our American Story tour. The nationwide initiative collects stories from people all across the country, including South Carolina.
Stories shared at the tour will become part of a historic archive and some reflections will be preserved by the Library of Congress for future generations.
One of the people who interviewed with America 250 on its stop in Columbia was Mayor Daniel Rickenmann. Mayor Rickenmann said that his American story began with his family migrating from Switzerland.
"My parents immigrated here," said Mayor Rickenmann. "I'm a first-generation American and [America 250] is about how we embraced the United States and how much of the history and how important it is to be involved not only in your community but doing the things that you're supposed to do as a citizen like vote and serve on juries."
Another person who interviewed was Diko Pekdemir-Lewis who is a German fashion designer in Columbia. She shared her story on how she came to South Carolina.
"My husband, was active in the military," said Lewis. "We met in Germany back in 2005 and came to the U.S. on vacation all the time. But back in 2015, the military told us to move, that we have to move to the states. We thought we would stay for three years and go back, but I fell in love with Columbia, especially the people, which made me decide to stay."
For more information on the tour or to submit your American story, visit this link.
