America’s 250th Anniversary-Two Very Different Fourth of July’s: 1976&2026

America recently celebrated its two hundredth and fiftieth Anniversary. Throughout this particular July 4th season, I couldn’t help but to reflect on the one celebrated fifty years ago. Much felt different back then. Especially from the outlook of a young eight year old, JT Glover. Since that truly spirited holiday in 1976 allot sure has shifted in America. The Land of the Free and Home of the Brave feels no longer.

I vividly remember the year 1976. Not only did we celebrate our two hundredth year on the Fourth of July, but throughout the year. We had a wide variety of memorabilia available to us. Red White and Blue shinned brightly in 1976. Those bicentennial two dollar bills. One cannot forget about those unique bicentennial quarters the US Mint coined either. Paul McCarthy’s hit, “Silly Love Songs” rang on the airways. On school mornings, I was proud to stand up to say the Pledge of Allegiance. I knew how special our country was . How lucky we were to be an American. The Spirit of America shinned brightly. God loved America for we were his favorite it seemed. We roared brightly with Patriotism.

Flash forward to America’s 250th Anniversary. As a middle aged working class adult, I am perplexed to what the United States of America feels like today. Especially throughout the last ten years. People have retreated into themselves. When emerging out into the day, we prefer not to make eye contact with others. Our trust of those around us has evaporated.

We seem unconnected to society. We yearn for something that used to be and will not be coming back. For many of us (especially working class Americans) fear and anxiety are on the forefront of our daily lives. Our leaders or the institutions they operate no longer care about those living under their umbrellas. We see and feel this on a daily basis. In 1976, America had our back. Now in 2026, we tread water as it engulfs what used to be the American Dream. Inflation keep rising. Uncertainty runs amok. Owning a home seems unattainable these days.