“America celebrated
together at 200. 
We won’t at 250.”
John Mark Hansen

The day is upon us — the semiquincentennial (meaning half of a 500-year anniversary) of the United States of America. At this point in our nation’s history, I question whether we should continue to use the word “united” to describe our country. Clearly, we’re not.

I recall that in the months, weeks, and days leading up to the bicentennial of the USA in 1976, there was a tangible sense of excitement and national pride. Even though America faced partisan division and economic challenges at that time, as we do today, the 200th anniversary of our nation inspired a unified, grassroots celebration. As we mark the 250th anniversary of our country today, the polarization in our government and communities is exponentially worse. 

Political scientist John Mark Hansen recently pointed out, “The vibe at 250 is completely different from the feeling at 200. We still had a sense of oneness then. We no longer do.” Hanson went on to say that amid “major crises of confidence about national values, vices, and virtues,” partisan polarization is significantly higher today than it was fifty years ago. 

It seems that the current anniversary of our nation is overshadowed by Trump-centered pageantry. The president’s attempts to honor the birthday of our country seems to be more about him — the wrestling match on the White House lawn, demolishing parts of the White House, his attempt to build a triumphal arch in Washington, D.C., despite the disapproval of a majority of Americans. Trump also seems hell-bent on slapping his name or image on just about anything: Washington’s Dulles Airport, New York’s Penn Station, the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the United States Institute of Peace, and the new stadium for the Washington Commanders professional football team, to name a few. He also wants his image on national park passes and a new $250 bill. 

For those of us who remember the excitement of the bicentennial, the semiquincentennial is a complete bust. Throughout the nation, traditional celebrations of the 4th of July — parades, picnics, barbecues, and fireworks displays — will take place as they always do. Compared with the country’s 200th celebration, however, the 250th birthday feels like a total nonevent.