As the United States prepares to celebrate its 250th birthday in 2026, a wide range of events and reflections are being planned — from grand displays of patriotism to serious debates about history, identity, and the meaning of being American.
A Spectacle of Patriotism and Power
The official semiquincentennial festivities are set to include a massive fireworks show at Mount Rushmore on July 3, 2026, and what organizers hope will be the largest flag-waving event in U.S. history. President Donald Trump has added his own flair to the celebrations by announcing a UFC fight at the White House and a “Great American State Fair” that will showcase exhibits from all 50 states, beginning in Iowa.
Trump formally launched the yearlong celebration on July 3, 2025, with a rally at the Iowa State Fairgrounds, emphasizing unity under his “America First” message. “We are one people, one family and one united American nation,” he said. “We will fight, fight, fight. We will win, win, win — because we are Americans and our hearts bleed red, white, and blue.”
A Nation Divided Over Patriotism
Yet amid the fireworks and festivities, deep national divisions are becoming harder to ignore. A recent Gallup poll shows that only 58% of U.S. adults say they are “extremely” or “very” proud to be American — the lowest level ever recorded. The generational gap is particularly striking: just 41% of Gen Z share that sentiment, compared to 75% of Baby Boomers.
The survey also highlights a partisan divide, with only 36% of Democrats reporting strong patriotic pride, while 92% of Republicans do. Trump himself leaned into this polarization during the Iowa event, accusing Democrats of hating the country and stating bluntly: “I hate them… because I really believe they hate our country.”
Redefining Patriotism: Superficial or Substantive?
Critics argue that Trump’s version of patriotism — full of pageantry and tough rhetoric — lacks depth. John J. Pitney Jr., a political science professor and former GOP staffer, warned that patriotism shouldn’t depend on who is in office. He emphasized that true patriotism lies in community service: volunteering, supporting neighbors, and upholding democratic values.
“Parades are great,” Pitney said, “but that’s not really what patriotism is about. Trump’s plans sound awfully superficial. His patriotism doesn’t run any deeper than the cloth of the flag.”
A Garden for Heroes, But What About Truth?
As part of the anniversary, Trump has directed the creation of a $34 million National Garden of American Heroes, featuring life-size statues of historical figures such as John Adams, Clara Barton, Martin Luther King Jr., Ronald Reagan, and Antonin Scalia. Trump said these statues would serve as “silent teachers” preserving American legacy.
At the same time, he ordered the Justice Department to prosecute those who deface monuments and directed the National Park Service to emphasize “unifying” history, dismissing narratives that focus on race and inequality.
Historians like Eric Foner, however, caution against sanitizing history. “What we remember is also related to what we forget,” Foner said, warning that attempts to glorify history while ignoring its injustices undermine national growth.
A Commission with a Broad Vision
The U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission (America250), established in 2016, is responsible for coordinating the national celebration. With bipartisan leadership from George and Laura Bush and Barack and Michelle Obama, the commission is planning a year of cultural, educational, and civic events.
Corporate sponsors including Amazon, Walmart, Palantir, and Goldman Sachs are backing efforts that include the largest volunteer initiative in U.S. history, national field trips, digital history archives, and a playlist of American music. The commission says it aims to offer an inclusive and inspiring commemoration “of the people, by the people, and for the people.”
Voices for a More Honest Reflection
Not all Americans see the upcoming milestone as purely celebratory. Tamika Middleton, managing director of the Women’s March, views the 250th anniversary as an opportunity to confront the country’s historical and ongoing injustices. A descendant of enslaved people, she calls for deeper conversations about racism, inequality, and the nation’s unfulfilled promises.
“I have a right to this country, and I have a right to its best self,” Middleton said. “What good is life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness without healthcare? Without housing?”
The Women’s March and other groups are considering how best to participate or counter the semiquincentennial, advocating for a vision of America that lives up to the ideals it espouses. Middleton cited civil rights activist Fannie Lou Hamer’s words: “Nobody’s free until everybody’s free.”
Looking Forward to the Next Chapter
As the United States stands on the threshold of its 250th year, the semiquincentennial becomes more than a birthday party — it is a mirror. It reflects the nation’s greatness and its growing pains, its unity and its fault lines.
The question remains: Will America’s 250th birthday be a celebration of who the nation is — or a confrontation with who it has yet to become?
