The 250th doesn't feel unifying at all

[NCDem47]

As we head toward the nation’s 250th birthday, I can’t help but feel like something is missing compared to the Bicentennial in 1976. Back then, whether you were Democrat, Republican, or didn’t care much about politics at all, it felt like a broad national celebration. There was a sense of shared Americana everywhere — flags, community events, tall ships, parades, patriotic merchandise, TV specials, even everyday people decorating homes and neighborhoods just because it was a milestone moment.

This time around, it feels… flatter. More politicized. Maybe it’s just me, but most of the overt patriotic displays I’m seeing lately seem tied to MAGA culture. In a lot of cases, it almost feels like the same houses, the same trucks/cars, and the same boats that normally fly Trump or MAGA gear have just swapped out the branding for patriotic bunting and 250th imagery for the summer. The vibe feels less like a broad civic celebration and more like an extension of an already-existing political identity.

Trump’s whole grifting, self-aggrandizing style has changed the tone around these kinds of national moments too. Instead of a shared civic celebration, everything starts to feel like branding, loyalty signaling, merchandising, rallies, and personality cult politics. Even something as historic and potentially unifying as the nation’s 250th starts feeling filtered through one man’s image and movement rather than belonging to the country as a whole.

The upcoming 250th doesn’t yet feel like a unifying civic moment the way the 200th did. Maybe the country is too fragmented now. Maybe social media and polarization changed things. Or maybe the big push just hasn’t started yet.

Curious what other DUers think. Does the 250th feel different to you compared to how people describe or remember 1976? And if so, why?

[Lovie777]

1. It's not a celebration at this point in time..................

but a disaster to our democracy by a madman and the republican party.

[dem4decades]

52. There's still a chance

[niyad]

2. It feels like another of krasnov's grifts and kkklown shows. I shudder

every time I see patriotic merchandise. What are we celebrating? The open destruction of this nation, with a ruzzian asset leading that destruction? The cheering of nearly a third of the adult population for that destruction?

I weep for what we have lost, the theft and destruction occurring in plain sight.

[Biophilic]

58. What are we celebrating?

Great question because it feels to me like it's all coming apart at the seams. I find it ironic that this year is the 250th when it looks like there will be little left to celebrate after this year.

[allegorical oracle]

3. I feel much as you. The fact that djt is cornering our nation's birthday to

celebrate himself rather than our wonderful nation is contributing to that feeling. All his vanity schemes coupled with questions about whether he'll leave when his term is ended add to my discomfort.

Makes me sad that I doubt the sincerity of the person leading the country that I love.

[chicoescuela]

4. I agree 100% with your assessment. I was 18 in 1976 and was a hopeful young fella.

Fifty years later and ten of them listening to tsf, I’m a cynical old man that couldn’t care less about the 250 year celebration. I worry about the future for my kids and 10 grandkids. I’m not hopeful one bit.
I can’t believe what I’m witnessing.

[Bettie]

47. I was 10 and it was all so joyful

and exciting from a child's perspective.

Right now, it feels more like a funeral than anything else.

[get the red out]

49. I was 12

And I found it very exciting too! I am not so proud to be an American now, like I was then. It feels like it is jingoistic now.

[Bettie]

50. It does and the fact of who is at the head of our nation

makes me ashamed, even though I never voted for him.

I remember feeling optimistic then. Now? Not even a little bit. I feel like we are well and truly screwed.

[murielm99]

5. You are not wrong.

[Blues Heron]

6. It's the exact opposite of the bicentennial -this feels more like a funeral

[Intractable]

7. It's a different time. Now, people are even less trusting of government, and 1974 was right after Vietnam.

[hlthe2b]

8. Oh, hell. I want NOTHING to do with it. If I had my druthers I'd spend the week in a deprivation chamber

hearing/seeing NO NEWS, no Orange Monster-led "celebrations," and go out only long enough to walk the pup her usual miles pre-dawn before the nonsense starts up again and then return to our dark, sound-proof "cave" to watch videos, listen to music, or sleep through the whole debacle.

Better would be to cross the border into Canada or south to Mexico, but given I am nowhere near either and may well not have received a renewed passport by then, well that is not an option. Nor, probably is affording gas to go further than south Denver.

So, maybe I can create a mostly sound-proof "deprivation" chamber with insulated curtains


Does it sound like I'm going to be joining MAGAT's decimation of our country's 250th commemoration? HELL NO!

[Farmer-Rick]

21. I know how you feel

I plan to avoid all celebration of the 4th of July or any celebration of Trump Nation. I will not spend a dime and I will turn off my screens. I'm stocking up on some good beer and will be seen on my front porch doing nothing in order to avoid Trump Nation celebration.

At least I can avoid all the MAGA humping Trump paraphernalia displays sure to be lining all the idiot's downtowns.

[Omnipresent]

9. This country is like a marriage on the rocks.

We are not happy with the way things are, but an anniversary is coming up, and we could care less in celebrating it.

[NCDem47]

10. Great analogy.

[Johnny2X2X]

11. It will be divisive

Because he will make it all about himself.

[Diamond_Dog]

12. It's because we are embarrassed by our country's leadership and their actions.

America isn’t America anymore - it’s an authoritarian government run by a bunch of unserious clowns.

These clowns are taking us backwards in time on issues such as the environment, education, science, civil rights, medical care for all, and a decent standard of living for all.

What’s to celebrate?

[Fiendish Thingy]

13. The real unification date will come in November

The Trump-induced, Republican-enabled suffering that has spread across the nation crossing all regional, racial and partisan boundaries will unite the vast majority of the voters against this administration.

[NCDem47]

14. From your keyboard to God's ears.

[mwmisses4289]

15. Haven't seen much, and I live in a red state.

The few things I've seen are more low key July fourth stuff (red white and blue plates, cutlery, table coverings), the usually picnicey stuff you see this time of year. Probably more aggressive push of the 250th stuff will come in the next week or two.

[llmart]

20. Same here.

I don't see much of it anywhere except for maybe the grocery store where they have typical July 4th decorations like paper plates and cups, etc.

I'll not be celebrating anything. There's nothing to celebrate at this particular point in our nation's history.

[newdeal2]

16. Every time I see 250th merch out in the wild, I feel sad

It's all been co-opted by MAGA. There's nothing to celebrate until we get back our country.

[RainCaster]

17. I agree, flags on pickup trucks are so maga

They are dead to me.

[Happy Hoosier]

18. Nope. It feels hollow. A thin lie.

I'm kinda sad. I was 10 during the bicentennial. It was pretty fun. Yes, there were issues in the country, but there was some sense of hope.

I feel like America is now a declining old racist redneck that decided being high on Meth is better than paying the bills, and threatening the neighbors every opther day proves how manly we still are.

[JT45242]

45. I was 6 years old -- hopeful that post civil rights era that the ERA would pass and full equality was on the horizon

I'm now 56 and feel like soon the sinister 6 and mango mussolini will roll everything back to to the 1850s...
they already have brought back legalized segregation and legalized racial gerrymandering as long as you call it political
they have ICE as the modern day equivalent of slave chasers arresting and incarcerating people without warrant and probable cause
they have gutted reproductive rights and will go after birth control next
they are trying to make the 19th amendment useless by making the burden of proving who you are so onerous that most married women will no longer be able to vote (reminded of the song in Suffs the musical, if we were married, I would be dead)
they will outlaw gay marriage again soon
... I could go on and on but basically

Our country is being run by a foreign agent (mango mussolini) and a couple of south african billionaires who want to bring apartheid here.

What is there to celebrate?

[ECL213]

19. Something bad will happen.

People will die.

Iran will be blamed.

Trump will drop his bombs.

Elections will be cancelled.

The American Experiment will be over.

Although, I have been accused of being a pessimist.

[hamsterjill]

22. It sure doesn't feel like any celebration to me.

I remember 1976, and it was fun and exciting. We all had some pride in our country, at least. I literally remember companies such as Ford Motor Company having special products to celebrate the occasion. Ford had a "bicentennial" pick up model and I had a friend who had one.

Not so much any more. Every day that I read more about things (i.e., the hanta virus), I feel like we are closer to dooms day. When I see the gazillions spent on absolutely stupid shit while I watch poor people starve and suffer from illness just because of money, I want to throw up. When I watch people who invoke Christianity praying at the feet of a golden statue and yet pointing at ME for my sins, I find it incredible.

I force myself to stay realistic and not enter full panic mode. But doing that DOES take some doing. Doesn't leave much bandwidth available for celebrating.

[DownriverDem]

23. In 1976

I wasn't happy about Nixon being president at all. For the 250th it's much worse. I fear our country is slipping away.

[johnnyfins]

27. Nixon wasn't President in 1976. He resigned

in 1974.

[COL Mustard]

24. Fifty years ago I was graduating from high school

I was very proud of our country for having reached that milestone, and in my opinion, acknowledging its flaws at the same time.

Today, I don’t have any desire to celebrate, given the political climate that we have now. I saw last time how Trump made everything about him, and I can only imagine what a huge masturbatory extravaganza this will be. I’m choosing to sit this one out.

[Wounded Bear]

25. You are witnessing the difference between patriotism and nationalism in real time...

Patriotism is a genuine feeling of love and respect for your country. Nationalism is a politicized veneration of a ruling body.

[Katinfl]

26. I hate that the 250th happens to fall when he is in office. How unfortunate for us.

Not feeling it this year at all.

[johnnyplankton]

28. It's more like an "In Memorium" for a once good country

Maybe we can play our "Greatest Hits": D-Day, Emancipation Proclamation, etc...on a big screen while we all cry

[Tanuki]

29. I can't really afford it but I was thinking about

taking a trip out of the country (to Costa Rica) at that time just so I wouldn't have to deal with it. Having a rapist who is bent on destroying everything I love about America squatting in the White House makes it impossible for me to celebrate this milestone.

[OnionPatch]

36. I'm just going to stay home and work in the garden.

Maybe we'll cook on the grill just to celebrate summer. There's nothing more to celebrate on that day. I'm sure not going to any celebrations or watching any live TV. Watching him and his cult "celebrate" will make me

[Grim Chieftain]

30. Why celebrate the death of this once great democracy

at the hands of a depraved, egotistical psychopath? My heart breaks for what has been allowed to happen to our country. To me, it's more of a wake than a celebration.

[dsc]

31. To be fair I have changed immensely from age 8 (then) to age 58 (now)

but it feels incredibly different. Three of my grandparents were alive then and all three were around my age now and all three were excited and happy for the country. I remember the special quarters and the rerelease of the $2 bill (the quarter had the usual front except the date and the back was the difference, the $2 bill was a straight rerelease with Jefferson on the front and his memorial on the back, Ford didn't put himself on either currency). Now, Trump has so divided us that I doubt any of us will have positive memories of this anniversary.

[PittBlue]

32. It will be all about the Orange Monster.

He does not give a rats ass about this country. Sadly, we will not be celebrating the 250th this year.

[WorkDoctor]

33. Let's commemorate the Union beating the Confederacy

The reality seems to have been lost. Speaking of Lost Causes, the Confederacy never gave up and SCOTUS just showed us how fervently the South wants to restore slavery, the "good ole days." In light of it all, the 250th is a time for embarrassment not celebration of white supremacy that never withered.

[LearnedHand]

46. Except the Union didn't beat them hard enough

Because here they are, right back in power.

[OnionPatch]

34. I see it as a day of mourning

For what could have been. What should have been. What we've lost. 😢

[unweird]

35. Definitely Different

And with the fascist republicans running the show I can’t get a domestic agreement to roadtrip dc for the 4th. Laid in a hotel reservation for that weekend in Reston and planned to ride the silver line into dc. But spouse and friends are all ‘nah’ about going.

[FailureToCommunicate]

37. We were literally dancing in the street for the 200th. We actually held up Ford's

motorcade till we finished. Secret Service back then seemed okay with that.

I can only imagine what would happen if we held up The Golden Calf-Man motorcade this time at 250th.

Not feeling very celebratory. Wearing black sackcloth.

[FalloutShelter]

38. Cut off the top is a black tube sock.

Black armband. That is what I will wear on the 4th.

[Wednesdays]

48. You mean, cut off the toe end.

If you cut off the top of a sock, you just get a shorter sock.

[hay rick]

39. It feels like cosplay. No thanks.

[chouchou]

40. At the rate our Debt is going, we'll be able to celebrate our 50 Trillion Dollars in the hole.

Not much to be proud

[Martin Eden]

41. I feel deep anxiety that the 250th will be the last for our Constitutional democracy

We will know more about our fate after the results of the midterms this November. Will voter suppresion, disenfranchisement, gerrymandering, and Trump’s army of ICE thugs steal the election? He will stop at NOTHING to stay in power, and his Republican Party is an eager accomplice.

I simply can't join a national "celebration" conducted by a megalomaniacal criminal. Ostentatious flag waving has been a false cloak of patriotism used by MAGA to such a degree that I involuntarily cringe when I see it.

I want our flag and our government reclaimed to represent the highest ideals of our nation's founding.

The United States of America is in an existential crisis. We are dangerously disunited. The anxiety and stress has been incessant since November of 2024. If the insanity is overcome this November and two years hence, I am more likely to breathe a huge sigh of relief than to celebrate.

I don't know. Ask me when we get there.

[evolves]

42. I agree.

Was discussing this with friends over the weekend. The run up to the Bicentennial was a huge deal: it was all anyone talked about for months. In my small town, we held a contest to paint all of the fire hydrants in a patriotic theme. Even though it was a contentious election year, there was a spirit of unity that seems forever gone.

[Wednesdays]

43. In 1976, Gerald Ford was President

Now, Ford wasn't our favorite person in the world, but with whatever faults he had, at least he didn't equate the whole country with himself.

[haele]

44. Part of the issue is that the Bicentennial was planned

Beginning years in advance, and was a bipartisan event that had inputs and support from various state representatives, federal departments (Department of Interior, ect) in developing events, displays, and memorabilia.
This time, it's a Megalomaniac and his lapdogs organizing their version of a semiquincentennial (250) year celebration, tossing out any plans that may have been being developed since 2021.
I mean, really - a corporate sponsored several months long "Road Trip" mini doc featuring a feckless Secretary of Transportation and his family?
Politically funded talking heads and flash in the pan influencers spouting inanities and showing off their ignorance of history using white washed Prager U/John Birch Society 2nd grade "history" materials across any media platform they could sink their claws into?
Nothing real or aspirational - just another brainless travelling carnival show for profit - basically late night or early morning commercial for bored people who can't sleep.

Yeah, it's divisive.

[Ocelot II]

51. Trump has co-opted it. He has turned the official observances into celebrations of himself.

I might fly the flag of Greenland on that day.

[WestMichRad]

53. Canada's Independence Day is July 1.

Just saying… I might fly their flag and forget to take it down for awhile.

[Ocelot II]

56. I do have a Canadian flag, which I fly on July 1,

and a Norwegian flag for Syttende Mai, coming up this weekend. Right now my Minnesota state flag is out in recognition of Renee Good and Alex Pretti and the ICE invasion of Minneapolis, but for a long time I flew a Ukrainian flag. Flag Day is June 14 but that's also Himself's birthday, so maybe that would be a good day for the Ukrainian one to come back.

[thought crime]

54. On September 28, 1976 the album Songs in the Key of Life was released

We listened to the friendly announcer and we understood. In 2026 Bad Bunny carries the torch.
Thank you, Stevie. Thank you, Benito.

[WestMichRad]

55. 250 is just a random number.

We can celebrate 253 instead, when that steaming pile of diapered manure is rotting away in MaraLardo.

[Ocelot II]

57. A day will come - we don't know when, but I hope it's soon - that will become the next national holiday.

THAT'S when the party happens.

[MustLoveBeagles]

59. I was 4 when the bicentennial happened

I remember very little of it. I was really looking forward to this celebration for a long time. Dump's re-election ruined it.