Mario Lopez to host upcoming Presidential 1776 Award broadcast on CBS
Television personality Mario Lopez will host the upcoming Presidential 1776 Award broadcast special, according to an announcement from the U.S. Department of Education. The 90-minute national finals special will air Tuesday, June 30, from 8:00 to 9:30 PM ET/PT on the CBS Television Network. Viewers can also stream the program the following day on Paramount+.
The broadcast marks the conclusion of the first-ever Presidential 1776 Award competition. This nationwide civics challenge evaluates high school students on their knowledge of the U.S. Constitution, founding principles, and American history. The final round brings regional top performers to Washington, D.C., for a live, in-person academic competition.
U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon noted that the program celebrates academic excellence and a deep understanding of history. Lopez expressed that he is honored to spotlight the young people participating in the event.
The program serves as a national scholarship competition designed to promote civic literacy. The multi-stage event began with an online, timed exam in February where four finalists from each state and territory advanced. Regional oral semifinals followed on May 2, narrow down the field to the top four students from each region.
The National Final takes place in Washington, D.C., on June 9, 2026. Students will compete in an oral academic format, with the top three finalists winning a portion of $250,000 in total scholarship prizes. The James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation independently developed all testing materials for the competition.
This civics initiative is part of the Department of Education’s efforts to mark America’s 250th birthday. Alongi Media is producing the broadcast special, with Phil Alongi and Gideon Hayes serving as executive producers.
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