I am old enough to have been around during the bicentennial celebration of the United States. When the country turned 200 years old, I was in fifth grade and had just moved to a new area. The community I lived in worked together to prepare for this event; it was a big deal. My mom spent countless hours making memetoes for us so we could remember the occasion. For my sister and me, she made old-fashioned dolls with carefully painted ceramic heads, like those from the 1700s. She also made us both dresses in the style of the 1700s. They had square necks, fitted bodices, and sleeves that drape down the back of our forearms. We also had little hats with elastic at the bottom to hold them on our heads. We felt fabulous wearing these. 

Our town also held a bicentennial parade, and we were on a float, so we planned to wear these dresses while doing the princess wave. My dad and brother were on the same float. My little brother wore shorts and suspenders with a stove top hat, all in the red, white, and blue theme. Mom made my dad a pair of vertical red-and-white striped pants and a tall stovepipe hat. My dad is really tall, so the vertical-striped pants and the tall hat made him seem twice as tall. We were all so proud to wear our historic clothes and to be a part of the United States that day. 

Across the United States that year, everyone was involved in the celebration, and there weren’t just events on the Fourth of July. That year, new postage stamps were issued featuring scenes from the revolution. There was also a series of coins minted to celebrate the bicentennial. It was exciting to examine letters mailed to us, to look for the new stamps, and to inspect all the coins we got from grocery shopping. NASA joined the celebration and planned to send off the Viking 1 spacecraft on July 4th. It didn’t quite make it until the end of the month, but it was still part of the celebration. 

Trains also joined the celebration: the American Freedom Train traveled from coast to coast. There was no internet at the time, but people lined the tracks to watch it pass through their community.  

Disneyland held nightly celebrations, and once July arrived, the sky over most big cities sparkled with fireworks. 

Other nations honored our country’s birthday with gifts. Throughout the year, leaders from around the world visited the capital, bringing gifts to honor us. Queen Elisabeth from England gifted the country with a replica of the Liberty Bell, and on it was carved the words, “Let Freedom Ring.”

The bicentennial brought communities together and helped many feel a sense of pride.  Although many problems remained in the country, there was a general sense that we were headed in the right direction.

This year, 2026, is another important birthday: the semiquincentennial of our country, marking 250 years. Fewer community activities have been planned than in 1976. Instead of plans that build our communities, most are competitive. There will be a four-day contest between one young man and one young woman from each state to see who is the best. There will also be a UFC fight on the White House Lawn. Looking at the news, some of the activities they are sponsoring have brought people together, as they try to avoid being taken off the streets, exterminated, or disappearing while at work, at home, or buying food. Those who planned these activities aren’t waiting for the Fourth of July to set off fireworks. Go to various cities throughout the country, and you can see flashbangs at any time of day or night. They are on display in the streets, where men, women, and children can see them upclose. 

Other countries haven’t forgotten our birthday because we have already received some gifts from them. So far, we have received a few sets of golf clubs, a luxury Boeing jet, and a portrait of Russia’s leader. Other countries must be really happy for us, because when they talk about us, they usually laugh. 

I hope we are all safe during the “celebrations” this year. Look out for each other, be aware, and hope for more peaceful days.