51 Steps To Freedom Reaches Millions During America’s 250th With Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority

51 Steps To Freedom, a non-profit organization that offers a groundbreaking augmented reality history tour of D.C., is proud to announce a multimedia partnership with the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority. The collaboration means passengers at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and Washington Dulles International Airport will have many high-profile opportunities to see and learn about the initiative tied to America’s founding 250 years ago.

The 51 Steps To Freedom experience spans eight miles in D.C., and includes over 300 stories. Some of the steps include: the Washington Monument, Frederick Douglass’ home, NASA headquarters, African American Civil War Memorial, The Howard Theatre and Lafayette Park. It also features locations where participants can add their names at stops highlighting the Constitution and Declaration of Independence, helping to create a growing digital monument.

In addition, Airports Authority engagement includes promotion for Signing The Promise, an augmented reality experience that will soon be available in all 50 states, 14 U.S. territories and every American military base outside of the country.

The Airports Authority will highlight 51 Steps To Freedom through its digital display monitors, Fly Washington magazine, bus shuttle signage, e-newsletters, websites and social media. More than 53.9 million passengers traveled through Reagan National and Dulles International Airports in 2025, which broke the previous year’s record for the two-airport system.

HH Leonards, co-founder of the nonprofit 51 Steps To Freedom, said, “Our partnership with the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority brings history to the first step of a traveler’s journey. Airports are gateways — not only to destinations, but also to discovery. By bringing 51 Steps To Freedom and Signing The Promise to Reagan National and Dulles International, we’re welcoming travelers from across the country and around the world into stories, places and people that have shaped our shared American legacy. We’re grateful to the Airports Authority for helping turn arrival into experience — and travel into connection.”

“Reagan National and Dulles International are the gateway airports for celebrating America’s 250th birthday,” said Jaimini Erskine, Airports Authority Vice President for Marketing and Concessions. “We look forward to welcoming visitors to the National Capital region for this historic milestone and are proud to provide access to the 51 Steps To Freedom.”

Tracy Halliday, co-founder of 51 Steps To Freedom, said, “This anniversary is an opportunity to reflect on the enduring ideals that continue to guide our country. We are using innovation to illuminate history in a way that is accessible, engaging and meaningful. Meeting travelers inside Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and Washington Dulles International Airport creates a moment — to pause, to explore and to recognize that the American story is ongoing and that each of us has a role in carrying it forward.”

The trail was developed with support from the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, Destination DC, Events DC, the DC Office of Cable Television, Film, Music and Entertainment, and the DC History Center.

Initial corporate funders are MTFA Architecture, PLLC, PNC Foundation, O Museum in the Mansion, and Towne Law Firm.