The 250th anniversary of the United States deserves better than what we just saw  

The recent attempt to mark the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army brought something else into sharp focus: we are just one year away from July 4, 2026—the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

It should be a moment of national unity and pride. But if the June 14 parade was a preview, we may be heading toward something far less inspiring.

Let’s be honest. The June 14 event was a failure. Attendance was sparse, enthusiasm was low, and to many Americans watching from home, it felt more like a campaign rally than a military tribute. What should have been a celebratory recognition of the Army’s 250 years of service was instead overshadowed by yet another effort to center one man—Donald Trump—above the institution itself.

That’s not what a semiquincentennial should look like. This isn’t about one man, one party or one political agenda. It’s about 250 years of a democratic experiment—imperfect, unfinished, but still alive and still worth honoring.

During his 2024 campaign, Trump promised a yearlong “Salute to America 250” celebration and said he would create a task force on day one of his second term to coordinate it. That day has come and gone, and while some planning has trickled out, what we’ve seen so far raises more concern than confidence. If the June 14 event was meant to set the tone, it fell flat.

We still have time to get this right—but not much.

We have a playbook. The 1976 Bicentennial was one of the most ambitious and unifying celebrations in American history. It took years of planning. It was deeply local, inclusive and unmistakably patriotic. From major national events like Operation Sail to thousands of hometown parades, murals, time capsules, TV specials and concerts, it was a celebration that belonged to everyone. Media networks participated. Museums joined in. Even Disney rolled out the red carpet with yearlong tributes and programming.

Most importantly, it wasn’t hijacked for partisan gain. It wasn’t about celebrating one person’s or one political party’s version of America. It was about the country as a whole—its people, its story and its future.

That’s what the 250th should be.

The U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission, established during Trump’s first term, was politicized from the start. And our political environment has only grown more divided since. But that’s exactly why we need this moment to rise above partisanship—not continue to wallow in it. The 250th anniversary of the United States should not be another stage for political theater. It should be a stage for shared national reflection and celebration.

We should be encouraging states, towns, cities and communities to organize their own events—just as they did in 1976. We should be creating time capsules, building public art, telling the stories of everyday Americans. We should be working with schools, libraries, veterans’ groups and civic leaders to make this a moment of belonging, not division.

America’s 250th birthday belongs to all of us—not just the loudest voice or the biggest stage.

Let the failure of the June 14 Army parade be a wake-up call. There is still time to change course and reclaim the meaning of this rare and powerful anniversary.

If we do, we have the chance to remind ourselves—and each other—what it really means to be part of this ongoing American story.