America’s 250th Birthday: You Are Cordially Invited to Save Democracy
If American democracy is in trouble, 2026 will be the perfect year to save it.
It will be a year when NASA sends a manned spaceship to the moon, the men’s World Cup soccer matches are held in the U.S., and America celebrates its 250th birthday.
And, of course, it will be a year when Americans cast votes in one of the most pivotal elections in the nation’s history.
A Year of Unity and National Pride
While the astronauts will not land on the moon, just circle it, the mission will announce that the U.S. is back in the space travel game, with plans for human landings starting in 2027 and construction of a permanent moon base in years shortly after.
Why is this politically important? Because of its impact on national pride. Despite space accomplishments by Russia, China and India, the U.S. remains the only country that has placed humans on the moon (12 of them). At a time of political and social division, here is one major event where most Americans will find unity.
Why is the World Cup important? Are you kidding? USA! USA! We’re all rooting for the same side. Some World Cup matches will be held in Canada and Mexico, but most are scheduled for a dozen U.S. cities June 11–27. The matches will be the focus of 24-hour media attention for weeks.
A few days after the World Cup finals, we will celebrate the Fourth of July. The Park Service is making plans for the most spectacular fireworks ever on the National Mall. Similar spectaculars will highlight Independence Day in cities throughout the U.S.
America’s 250th Birthday Celebration
All of this will occur under the umbrella of 250th year events that have been in the planning stage since Congress authorized a national birthday commission 10 years ago.
Go to the website www.America250.org to see the big picture. Some highlights:
Reenactments of historic moments in history.
Educational curricula and other special events for school children.
Tall ships sailing into New York Harbor.
Dedication of a Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in North Dakota.
A national “state fair.”
A national athletic competition for high school students.
Creation of a “National Garden of American Heroes.”
Most important, local events where people, young and old, are reminded of who we are and what we stand for as a nation.
It will be a year-long celebration of the Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, the military heroes who have sacrificed to protect our values and way of life, the wisdom of our nation’s founders and other political and judicial leaders instrumental in preserving national unity, dedication to justice and our system of self-government.
The 2026 Election and the Future of Democracy
Donald Trump is relishing the fact that he will preside over all of this activity as president. Since he entered the White House in January, Trump has been steering the 250th birthday party in a MAGA direction, placing his followers in key decision-making positions, adding events that “align” with his view of history, and seeing to it that there is plenty of money to promote events at which he will star. He even has plans for construction of a “triumphal arch” akin to those of Napoleon and Rome’s Caesars.
But by the close of 2026, it’s likely that Trump will regret his role in all of this. Why?
How can he win a popularity contest preaching hate while everyone else is promoting unity?
How will he win popular acclaim drawing attention to the Constitution and its Bill of Rights while at the same time he’s violating its provisions for freedom of the press, peaceful assembly, congressional power, search and seizure, use of the military, rights and privileges of states, and even the peaceful transfer of power to winners of elections?
A Year of Reckoning for American Leadership
For Americans not particularly paying attention now, next year Trump’s violations will be impossible to downplay. That will go hard on Trump and for all those in public office supporting him.
The 2026 political campaigns for his opponents write themselves. While in past elections Trump and his acolytes may have won votes by wrapping themselves in the flag and defining themselves as patriots, in 2026 their campaigns will be waged in a public square massively highlighting what the flag truly stands for and what patriotism really means.
For those who fear that Trump will succeed in imposing one-man rule and turn our 2026 elections into sham exercises in futility, the 250th bicentennial year offers a potent platform for resistance at every level of government.
His attempts to claim and wield unconstitutional power will confront massive popular celebration of a system of government built on a bed rock foundation of resistance to tyranny.
America’s birthday celebration. It’s likely to be a year worthy of those who first declared independence 250 years ago.
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Comments? Criticism? Contact Joe Rothstein at jrothstein@rothstein.net
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