Commentary
As the upcoming November elections approach, the Democrats emphasize the importance of democracy and a woman’s right to choose being on the ballot. On the other hand, Republicans focus on the economy, America’s strength, safety, and security. However, there is another significant issue at stake that both parties may be overlooking. The question of which party will be entrusted to lead the celebration of America’s 250th anniversary on July 4, 2026?
What might this celebration look like under the leadership of Democrats and President Joe Biden, compared to Republicans and former President Donald Trump? With America currently more divided than in the 1960s, the unity seen after Sept. 11, 2001, feels like a distant memory. In my Los Angeles neighborhood, less than one in five homes even display an American flag on July 4th. American flags here are less about patriotism and more about political affiliation.
America is in need of a unifying event, and what better occasion than the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding and the signing of the Declaration of Independence? The ideals of equality, life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness enshrined in that document have shaped our country. Celebrating our independence, Constitution, and status as the world’s richest and most powerful nation is certainly something worth commemorating!
The Bicentennial celebration in 1976 brought Americans together in a memorable way. Special coins and stamps were created, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip participated in festivities, and concerts were held across the country. The upcoming Semiquincentennial in 2026 has a commission in place to plan the celebrations, with the president playing a key role in shaping the event. Both President Biden and former President Trump are known for their patriotic sentiments, but the deep-rooted appreciation for America’s founding and founders remains a divisive issue.
This division is reflected in projects like the New York Times’s 1619 Project, which revises American history to focus on the arrival of slave ships in 1619, and the 1776 Project founded by President Trump to support patriotic education. The celebration of America’s 250th anniversary will play a crucial role in how the nation views its past, present, and future.
Our founding fathers fought for individual freedom, overthrew an oppressive monarchy, and believed in principles like “no taxation without representation” and “give me liberty or give me death.” They understood that government should be limited and local, establishing checks and balances to ensure it controlled itself.
In 2020, President Trump established the 1776 Commission to advise on plans for celebrating the 250th anniversary of American Independence. However, President Biden revoked this order on his first day in office, signaling a departure from traditional views of the founding.
President Biden’s vision for the celebration, as seen on the America250.org website, aims to engage Americans in designing an inclusive observance. However, the Commission is facing a federal lawsuit alleging issues of leadership representation and mismanagement.
The question remains whether we will honor our Founding Fathers’ legacy and showcase America as the “shining city on the hill.” The outcome may depend on the results of the upcoming presidential election.
Please note that the views expressed in this article are the author’s opinions and do not necessarily reflect those of The Epoch Times.
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