Is the Spirit of 1776 still alive?
Austin Weatherford
How the Commission meant to commemorate our nation's 250th birthday has been hijacked — along with the opportunity to bring us all together
Two years ago, I stepped into a role that felt like a calling.
I had the honor of being hired to lead America 250 — the official commission designated by Congress to plan our nation’s 250th birthday. I took the job with hope in my heart and a vision: that this anniversary could be a rare moment of national healing. A chance for Americans — across all backgrounds, beliefs, and hometowns — to celebrate the country we’ve built together. Not as a flawless tale, but as a story of constant striving. A story worth commemorating.
I imagined fireworks and concerts, yes — but also town hall conversations, new civic rituals, and memories our children would carry into their adulthood. I imagined communities laughing, listening, and learning together. I imagined patriotism rooted in pride and humility, not grievance and fear.
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https://www.brightamerica.org/p/is-the-spirit-of-1776-still-alive