As a teen in a small Illinois town, America’s bicentennial in 1976 fascinated me. The official logo marking the 200th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence was omnipresent — on posters in my high school, on clothing and in advertisements. The culmination of the event took many forms in July 1976: fire hydrants repainted in “patriotic” themes, tall ships sailing on New York City’s Hudson River, massive firework celebrations in small towns and large cities.
Many Americans in 1976 wrestled quietly with questions about our role in a modern world. The vision of America as an unquestioned force for good in the world was in disarray in the wake of the military and foreign policy disaster in Vietnam. The Watergate scandal and resignation of President Richard Nixon led many to question the trustworthiness of our own government.
With the 250th anniversary of our country’s founding just months away, President Donald Trump wants a national spectacle. He is planning to host an Ultimate Fighting Championship event at the White House. Trump has called for national “Patriot Games,” drawing together athletes from each state to participate in various contests to determine an ultimate winner (which feels cribbed from “The Hunger Games”). He recently signed an executive order apparently “mandating” an Indy car race on the streets of our nation’s capital. And he wants to build a 250-foot high “arch” across the river from Washington to minimize the Lincoln Memorial.
The plans are sprinkled with pay-for-play. Media reports indicate that Trump has created a private entity where donors can contribute to his plans, in exchange for access to his administration. Is that a way to celebrate our nation’s birthday?
Rather than focusing on loud spectacles, Americans might take a few moments this year to explore the parallels between our current condition and the detailed indictment of particulars that Thomas Jefferson laid out against the king of England in 1776.