Perspective on America’s 250th birthday

As we all remember from history class, on July 4, 1776 the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence creating this republic of ours. That was a long time ago. Or was it?

Two hundred fifty years does seem like a long time, to individual humans at least, since the oldest one lived less than half of that, 122. But let’s get some perspective here.

Human history has been recorded for roughly 5,000 years, beginning around 3200 BCE.  Anatomically modern humans have existed for roughly 300,000 years.   

Chinese civilization spans over 3,500 years.  Our mother country, England, is roughly 1,100 years old as a unified nation.

I asked one of my friends in England how old her beautiful house was. “The oldest part is 15th Century,” she replied. “That church across the street was built in the year 1,000.”

So, 250 years is merely a blip on the earth’s journey. King Charles III, when he visited the U.S. recently joked, “The Founding Fathers were bold and imaginative rebels with a cause. Two hundred and fifty years ago – or, as we say in the United Kingdom, just the other day – they declared independence.” 

The United States of America has, however, made a lot of history in its two and a half centuries. A lot of the time was taken up by wars.   

After the Revolutionary War there was the War of 1812, the Mexican War, Indian Wars, the Civil War, Spanish-American War, World Wars I and II, Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf War, Afghanistan, Iraq and now, Iran.

Some of the fighting, of course, was to establish the republic, expand, save or preserve the republic and democracy itself. 

If I’m being totally honest, there are some other things in American history that I’m not very proud of.  Slavery, for example. Jim Crow racism, the treatment of Native Americans, riots, etc.  We could have done better to and for each other. 

But on balance, this old republic has done well. President Ronald Reagan famously used the metaphor of a "shining city upon a hill" to describe his vision of America as an exceptional, prosperous and welcoming beacon of freedom.” 

Millions of people, including my grandparents, and probably some of your ancestors, left their homelands and came to America seeking a better life.

Lady Liberty lifted her lamp to welcome them.  They worked hard, got an education, became citizens, raised families and lived the “American Dream.” 

Where would the world be without America’s 250 years of progress?

American achievements span foundational shifts in global governance, pivotal scientific breakthroughs, and massive cultural contributions.

The nation’s history is built on a legacy of pushing boundaries and expanding liberty, fundamentally shaping the modern world across multiple disciplines.  

Incredible advances in medicine, transportation, government, science, engineering, technology, the arts and global leadership are all legacies to our 250 years. I think it’s fair to say, no period in human history can come close to matching America’s example. 

So, now what?  Let us celebrate the 250th in grand style. Enjoy yourself, reflect on the past, thank our ancestors and founders, be kind to one another.

And on July 5, let’s all go back to work and do our part to ensure that the republic that Benjamin Franklin challenged us to keep, will live on for more centuries. 

Happy 250th, America! 

Contact Rick at dave@tri-citytimes.com