One small thing I started a few months ago to honor America’s 250th anniversary was to post a weekly article on a lesser-known story tied to America’s founding. It’s dubbed “America 250” Tuesdays. Other writers here are making a similar effort to tell the story of America’s founding throughout the week as the nation marks important dates from history.
Also, a few months ago, in response to a patriotic post of mine on the X platform, a European commented that we Americans are so “obnoxious” about our pride in where we’re from. He said that in Europe you only see national flags on government buildings, but in America, we fly the flag on our own homes, and at every chance we get.
He didn’t get that, which is nothing more than a reminder that the American and European mindsets are so completely different that it’s almost impossible to look at the same set of facts and have a similar view. Of course, we’re proud of our country. Look at what it’s done for the world. Look at what it’s done for us. Look at what it can do for the world, for us, and for our grandchildren if only we’d just let it.
The biggest barrier we face in helping America reach its full potential is the left. No single force seems to want to undermine America so badly. That force includes factions ranging from academia and Hollywood to the legacy media and NGOs. Many actively create problems so they can then blame conservatives and Republicans for those very problems.
One example of this is energy. One of the many reasons the Biden administration and prior Democrat administrations have shut down pipelines, coal mines, oil fields, and gas drilling is precisely to make America more dependent on foreign oil. This enables the left to cry about high energy prices and enact a broad range of freedom-robbing policies. But the real problem, they will tell you, is conservatives who want to destroy the planet. That’s a lie, and leftist leaders know it.
This cycle repeats no matter the issue: abortion, education, sex and gender, free speech and censorship, immigration. No matter the issue, the left will seek to intentionally make it worse so that it can pretend to come in and solve the problems they create with their “solutions.” This is a similar dynamic as a pyromaniac who is also a volunteer fireman who lights fires so he can go and put them out and then call himself a hero. Only the Democrats never put their fires out. They only make it worse.
These are the people who sympathize with those Europeans who don’t get the rest of us in America, and they will try at every turn this year to ruin the anniversary. We won’t let them. It’s time to get serious about “America 250.” The best way to do that is to embrace it. See it as a season of celebration, and not just one day in July. For this reason, I thought I’d throw out some ideas for you.
Celebrate the 4th – July 4th is the big day, and Washington will be Ground Zero for the most notable national celebration events. So, too, will Boston and Philadelphia. But across the country, in every small town and neighborhood, you will have a chance to do it American-style — loud and proud. My only tips here are to use your imagination, but whatever you do, be safe.
Go Where History Happened – Speaking of Boston, Philly, and Washington, this is a great year to reconnect with American history. If you have the time and the ability, check out historic sites in those places and beyond. All along the East Coast are preserved locations where Revolutionary War history happened. Just visiting helps you reconnect with who America is and who you are. But you don’t have to limit it to the Revolutionary War. Countless Civil War and other sites are just as interesting and powerful. Not far from me is the Fort Pitt site and museum, which commemorates colonial history. But perhaps one of my favorite local sites is from the French and Indian War, where young George Washington made some awful mistakes but lived to fight another day – Fort Necessity. While the site itself may be unimpressive to the casual visitor, if you know the story, the site is so well-preserved that you can gain a sense of place pretty quickly. Plus, that part of Pennsylvania is good for the soul.
Decorate for a Year, Not Just a Day – Decorate your house and dress to the nines. If Halloween and the Christmas holidays are any indication, Americans love to put on a display outside and inside their homes. Once one house does it, the one across the street joins the fun. Before you know it, the whole block gets in on the action. The net effect is you can’t drive down that street without feeling the vibe. It’s never too early to start. Get that house ready for America 250 now, and make sure you have a wardrobe to match.
Go Online for Creative Ways to Celebrate – Bookmark the official America 250 website, which is the online hub for information across the country on what’s happening to mark the anniversary. New events are added every day, and they’re not all in Washington. If you like to run, there are run/walk events listed for Tennessee. In Wichita Falls, Tex., the local art museum has an exhibit called, “Printing the American Revolution,” which might interest you if you’re in the neighborhood. Point is, everyone is doing something this year. All you need to do is look around.
The next chapter of our American story starts now.
— America250 (@America250) January 1, 2026
250 years of rising, remembering, and turning toward one another to embrace our part in history.
As we begin this once-in-a-generation year, take a moment to reflect on who we are—and who we want to be. Happy 2026. Happy… pic.twitter.com/fUj2twHZDB
Don’t Forget the National Parks – While America’s national parks are a treasure no matter what year or time of year (thanks, Teddy Roosevelt!), some may be extra special this year. I’m thinking Mount Rushmore may be the place to be at some point if you have the chance.
Read at Least One Book on American History – I’m happy to recommend a few, but if you like to read you can expect any number of new books to be published on America’s founding during the course of this year. You can also pick up a book that’s already out there. You can’t go wrong with David McCullough. His book John Adams is probably my favorite. Democracy in America, by Alexis de Tocqueville is must-reading if you haven’t read it. And if you’re really into American history, try another go at The Federalist Papers. If you’re undecided, treat yourself to a trip to the local library. How long has it been since you were there? Don’t be surprised when you get there that they may have info on other things you can do to celebrate America 250 locally.
Speaking of locally, there’s a good chance your local town, history organization, or even the local American Legion post is doing something to make America 250 a little more special this year. Find out which local organizations have big plans and see if they can fit into your plans.
Don’t wait until the week before July 4th to start thinking of how you’re going to mark America’s 250th anniversary. Now is the time to get serious about making America 250 all that it can be for you and your family. If you want to send a message to the left about your American spirit, make it a point to proudly celebrate your patriotism this year like no other. And enjoy the fact that no matter how hard the left may want to stop you from doing it, they can't.
