The Partisan Birthday: A Cautionary Tale from America's Past The 250th birthday of the United States has devolved into a partisan spectacle, with President Trump seizing the opportunity to stage manage events that serve his interests more than the nation's.
This raises questions about what patriotism and celebration mean in America. To understand this phenomenon, it's worth looking back at a similar moment in history – the bicentennial celebrations of 1976.
At first glance, it's surprising to think that 50 years ago, America was struggling with how to mark its own anniversary.