The Declaration of Independence marks the beginning of our heritage. It has been the source of our nation’s strength. It serves as the backbone of the ideals we all live by. It holds the deed to our most cherished possession — freedom.
The above paragraph was the introduction to a special June 30, 1976, Bicentennial Edition published in the Gasconade County Republican. This marked the celebration of our nation’s 200th birthday. In 1976, I was 16 years old, just learning to explore my own independence behind the wheel of a 1972 Chevrolet 2-door Vega Kammback Wagon.
I remember the patriotic spirit of 1976 that spread throughout the country and into every small community in central Missouri. Everyone was encouraged to get caught up in the spirit of ’76 by displaying the U.S. flag, pledging allegiance, and proudly proclaiming, “I am an American.”
The local Bicentennial Celebration included a colonial dress contest for families, adults, teenagers and children; a beard contest (my father won the neatest-trimmed-beard category); a spaghetti-eating contest; and a baby crawl for babies up to 14 months old.
When the red, white and blue ball drops at Times Square in New York City tonight at midnight, it will mark the beginning of another grand celebration — the 250th birthday of the United States of America, the greatest country in the world.
Plans for the semiquincentennial anniversary have been underway since 2016 when Congress organized American250, a bipartisan commission.
Last week, President Donald Trump said, “As we ring in 2026, Americans across the nation will see the iconic Washington Monument illuminated with festive birthday lights to honor the start of this historic anniversary year. Then from June 25th to July 10th of next year, we will host the Great American State Fair on the National Mall, featuring pavilions from all 50 states, highlighting breathtaking innovations and celebrating America’s exceptional history and culture.”
According to Dr. Burt Folsum, in a pamphlet for the Young America’s Foundation, “The United States is a unique country. No other nation on earth has made the distinctive contributions that Americans have made to world civilization.”
Folsum lists three main reasons to be proud to be an American.
1. The United States, from its creation, gave the gift of liberty to its citizens — and by this example showed the world a better way to live.
After we won our independence from Great Britain, our new constitution limited government power and stressed individual freedom. This freedom led to reason number two.
2. Without America and its inventors and entrepreneurs, the standard of living in the world would be a small fraction of what it is now.
Inventors have always thrived in the United States. The reason is simple — freedom. Freedom to profit from their work without fear of the government confiscating their property. With only four percent of the world’s population American inventions have transformed the world.
3. The U.S. saved Europe and much of the World after World War II. After the war, Russia collected reparations from Germany and Japan totaling billions of dollars. America did the opposite. We gave emergency food rations and other assistance to not just refugees from the war, but to our enemies, including Germany and Japan. We helped rebuild Europe and Japan.
Here are more reasons to love our great country.
1. The American Dream is still alive. As reported in Fortune magazine, “the U.S. created over 1,000 new millionaires per day in 2024, adding 379,000 new millionaires over the course of the year, for a total of almost 24 million.”
2. Our national and state parks are breathtakingly beautiful, giving us enjoyment outside of work.
3. The American Spirit. It’s our spirit of optimism and enthusiasm that keeps America moving and growing.
4. Freedom of speech and religion,
5. Diversity of people, communities, cultures and lifestyles
6. Friendly people. Despite what makes the news, most people are friendly, courteous and kind to their neighbors and friends.
I’m sure you can come up with more reasons to love and be proud of America. Let’s keep this thought going and make 2026 the best year ever.
