Yep. That said my friends and I are planning an epic barbecue on the 4th of July, branded as “the anti 4th of July party.” It turns out pretty much everyone coming is an immigrant, gay, or has something the current authorities find un American, so screw those guys, no one’s going to tell us what we can’t enjoy and that we can’t have fun.
Yeah, because the current administration is currently working to dismantle the constitution, while making the nations birthday about one man, who is a pedophile and a criminal.
People also had a lot more community going on without social media. My dad is from a tiny dairy hamlet in upstate NY and they had a whole town celebration cooked up with games and whatnot for the bicentennial
The UK still does this for major Royal events with street parties and so on. Most don't do anything because they are particularly into the royal family but rather they want to come together for something.
I don't think that this is a problem of social media but rather a different relationship between the royal family and the public as they try to be apolitical.
I remember it well although I was a child. There were celebrations all year long beginning in 1975. A train museum crossed the country stopping in all 48 contiguous states. President Ford presided over multiple ceremonies giving speeches at historic locations and dates. President Ford was not terribly popular due to pardoning Nixon and presiding over continued stagflation in the economy, but he was a lifelong civil servant who had reverence for America and was capable of acting respectfully and dignified.
The international community sent tall ships and warships for a fabulous regatta. Queen Elizabeth made an extended state visit aboard the royal yacht and participated in many ceremonies. Nearly every community started fundraising, sometimes years ahead, to erect statues, hold special parades, re-enactments or fireworks celebrations. Almost every company in the country sold commemorative merchandise of some type or other and helped sponsor events in their communities.
In 2016, Congress passed a budget and created a planning commission (America250). I don’t know how much planning the 45th or 46th administrations did, but I do know that 47 took that money, created Freedom 250, and the result is a few lame events in DC and a NYC ball drop.
Damn such a stark juxtaposition to this year’s 250th. There is little to celebrate in this country as every single good thing we have ever done as a country is being destroyed one by one. This admin is done more damage to this country than ANY of our enemies could ever dream. And here we are. I certainly don’t feel like celebrating. Now if Orange Julius met his council and they all played the part of Brutus that would be something to celebrate. Alas, we must wait. Not like it’s gonna change any of this mess but y’know…
I remember the bicentennial and lived close to Baltimore and going to see the tall ships come in. The fireworks that year were awesome. The country was still healing from the whole Nixon thing and it seemed like this was the first time we breathed.
I lived in NYC, the whole city was alive, even though it was bankrupt and crime ridden. It was like the bad stuff stopped for a few moments and everyone was celebrating.
There’s a fire hydrant on the block I grew up on that’s still painted red, white and blue.
Well there was supposed to be a big party that's been planned for the last ten years, but Trump went ahead and canceled all that for his little birthday party
Especially because of the piece of shit trying to make ot all about himself. In 76 it was all about the country, and everybody was on board with the celebration.
The house I had as a kid had Bicentenial Wallpaper in the kitchen with a fife and drum player, the liberty bell and more. I was only 5 but everything was red white & blue (which stood out against the brown, orange & avacado)
The celebration went on all year so much bigger. There’s barely a mention here and there
Oh dang! I had a friend in my neighborhood growing up with that wallpaper in his bedroom. I completely forgot about that but your description just popped in my mind. I was also 5 and it seemed like such a big deal to all the grownups. I even remember my uncle showing me his bicentennial quarters.
National events are supposed to be a time for a country to come together. But that’s pretty hard to do when one party (out of a total of two), especially when it’s the party in control of government, is doing its best to divide the population.
I was nine. Went to Long Island. Blew up a shitload of fireworks with my cousins. Saw a Playboy magazine for the first time. Saw the big boats. Twas awesome! Today? I treated myself to Bruce Springsteen last month. Everything else, you can keep it. 😞
As a Brit, watching the 250th seems a bit weird. There is nothing really about the states uniting or the constitution which I think was big for the 200th. Frankly, it should have been a bigger draw than the World Cup.
Back then our government wasn’t run by literal criminals and actual morons. We had sour problems but deliberate division and celebrated incompetence were not amongst them.
Diet_Coke | a day ago
America doesn't really deserve a birthday party this year, we deserve to go to our room and think about what we've done
Andromeda321 | a day ago
Yep. That said my friends and I are planning an epic barbecue on the 4th of July, branded as “the anti 4th of July party.” It turns out pretty much everyone coming is an immigrant, gay, or has something the current authorities find un American, so screw those guys, no one’s going to tell us what we can’t enjoy and that we can’t have fun.
thewanderingent | a day ago
Yeah, because the current administration is currently working to dismantle the constitution, while making the nations birthday about one man, who is a pedophile and a criminal.
imalittlefrenchpress | a day ago
It’s so ironic to me, because in 1976 we had a president who wasn’t elected by the people, and now we have this.
Don’t get me started about what my ancestors did to the indigenous peoples of this land.
hughk | 13 hours ago
In those days, presidents were far from perfect, but they knew that they had to give something back to the country.
domuseid | 9 hours ago
People also had a lot more community going on without social media. My dad is from a tiny dairy hamlet in upstate NY and they had a whole town celebration cooked up with games and whatnot for the bicentennial
hughk | 9 hours ago
The UK still does this for major Royal events with street parties and so on. Most don't do anything because they are particularly into the royal family but rather they want to come together for something.
I don't think that this is a problem of social media but rather a different relationship between the royal family and the public as they try to be apolitical.
nickcan | 23 hours ago
Funny how that fact is so completely obvious, yet it's hard to find a newspaper or magazine that would say that.
gorpie97 | 20 hours ago
To be fair, the government has been working to sidestep the Constitution since at least 9/11.
This administration is certainly doing it on steroids, though.
sheshesheila | a day ago
I remember it well although I was a child. There were celebrations all year long beginning in 1975. A train museum crossed the country stopping in all 48 contiguous states. President Ford presided over multiple ceremonies giving speeches at historic locations and dates. President Ford was not terribly popular due to pardoning Nixon and presiding over continued stagflation in the economy, but he was a lifelong civil servant who had reverence for America and was capable of acting respectfully and dignified.
The international community sent tall ships and warships for a fabulous regatta. Queen Elizabeth made an extended state visit aboard the royal yacht and participated in many ceremonies. Nearly every community started fundraising, sometimes years ahead, to erect statues, hold special parades, re-enactments or fireworks celebrations. Almost every company in the country sold commemorative merchandise of some type or other and helped sponsor events in their communities.
In 2016, Congress passed a budget and created a planning commission (America250). I don’t know how much planning the 45th or 46th administrations did, but I do know that 47 took that money, created Freedom 250, and the result is a few lame events in DC and a NYC ball drop.
BayouGal | a day ago
Don’t forget the UFC fight at the White Trash House. And gilding all those bronze statues was also a big expense!
DaisyHotCakes | 17 hours ago
Damn such a stark juxtaposition to this year’s 250th. There is little to celebrate in this country as every single good thing we have ever done as a country is being destroyed one by one. This admin is done more damage to this country than ANY of our enemies could ever dream. And here we are. I certainly don’t feel like celebrating. Now if Orange Julius met his council and they all played the part of Brutus that would be something to celebrate. Alas, we must wait. Not like it’s gonna change any of this mess but y’know…
I_love_Hobbes | a day ago
I remember the bicentennial and lived close to Baltimore and going to see the tall ships come in. The fireworks that year were awesome. The country was still healing from the whole Nixon thing and it seemed like this was the first time we breathed.
imalittlefrenchpress | a day ago
I lived in NYC, the whole city was alive, even though it was bankrupt and crime ridden. It was like the bad stuff stopped for a few moments and everyone was celebrating.
There’s a fire hydrant on the block I grew up on that’s still painted red, white and blue.
NorthCoastToast | a day ago
I was in Philadelphia, and it was one of the best summers of my life.
Special_FX_B | a day ago
It’s impossible to be impressed by an utter embarrassment.
Gonna_do_this_again | a day ago
Well there was supposed to be a big party that's been planned for the last ten years, but Trump went ahead and canceled all that for his little birthday party
dark_places | a day ago
I remember 1976 very well. I saw the tall ships in nyc and it was impressive. 2026 is just pathetically embarrassing.
Vegetable_Quote_4807 | a day ago
Especially because of the piece of shit trying to make ot all about himself. In 76 it was all about the country, and everybody was on board with the celebration.
brokenarrow | a day ago
Yeah, I'm a bicentennial baby, and my mother is not feeling this one.
My phrasing could have been better.
edwardothegreatest | a day ago
The celebration started in January as I recall, but I believe I was in the fourth grade
roadtrip-ne | 23 hours ago
The house I had as a kid had Bicentenial Wallpaper in the kitchen with a fife and drum player, the liberty bell and more. I was only 5 but everything was red white & blue (which stood out against the brown, orange & avacado)
The celebration went on all year so much bigger. There’s barely a mention here and there
cataath | 11 hours ago
Oh dang! I had a friend in my neighborhood growing up with that wallpaper in his bedroom. I completely forgot about that but your description just popped in my mind. I was also 5 and it seemed like such a big deal to all the grownups. I even remember my uncle showing me his bicentennial quarters.
Naberius | 23 hours ago
It should be a wake.
sharp11flat13 | 20 hours ago
National events are supposed to be a time for a country to come together. But that’s pretty hard to do when one party (out of a total of two), especially when it’s the party in control of government, is doing its best to divide the population.
mrcanard | 13 hours ago
The Republican Administration has soured the event. We are not being represented.
No fanfare, no party, no fireworks. Us eating a hotdog and drinking a beer, discussing the required steps to take back our country.
axzar | a day ago
I was nine. Went to Long Island. Blew up a shitload of fireworks with my cousins. Saw a Playboy magazine for the first time. Saw the big boats. Twas awesome! Today? I treated myself to Bruce Springsteen last month. Everything else, you can keep it. 😞
hughk | 13 hours ago
As a Brit, watching the 250th seems a bit weird. There is nothing really about the states uniting or the constitution which I think was big for the 200th. Frankly, it should have been a bigger draw than the World Cup.
But it wasn't.
DishSoapIsFun | 15 hours ago
It could’ve been great if we didn’t have an entitled, self-serving, pedophile conman rapist running the country.
The entire administration, top to bottom, if incompetent. They’re having a huge party, with our money, and we’re not invited.
dbto | 12 hours ago
I most vividly remember the Bicentenial Glasses that McDonalds or Burger King (or both?) Had.
GirlwiththeRatTattoo | 6 hours ago
We're not feeling bonita this birthday.
pyro_pugilist | a day ago
Whoa, I just had a weird thought. I was born in the mid 80's, I probably won't live to see the 300th.
gaoshan | a day ago
Back then our government wasn’t run by literal criminals and actual morons. We had sour problems but deliberate division and celebrated incompetence were not amongst them.
thataintapipe | 21 hours ago
Ah yes the mid 70s, famous for its squeaky clean politicians and effective governance
chardeemacdennisbird | 9 hours ago
Lmao. My thoughts exactly. Coming out of Watergate "well at least we weren't run by criminals". I mean it's worse now, but still.