“When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another…” – Opening statement: Declaration of Independence
I was in my teens when our nation celebrated the bicentennial. And yes, our nation – collectively – actually celebrated. What a wonderful time it was! The nightly ‘Bicentennial Minute” that ran on CBS in the early evening was a highlight, referencing some event that took place 200 years ago that very day. The brief program ran from July 4, 1974 through December 31, 1976. It was one small piece in a time when our citizens were proud of our country and proud to call ourselves Americans.
As for me, I developed a new pastime, that of researching my family history and my goal was to discover an ancestor who participated in the fight for our independence. It took a while, but I finally traced my heritage to Simon Loomis, who took part in the two battles of Saratoga in September and October of 1777. It was said of Loomis that he hated the Red Coats so much that he refused to wear the color red the rest of his life. He died in 1829 and is buried in his home town of German Flatts, south of Utica, New York.
For months leading up to the big day, special programs and early celebrations took place, each with its own special touch. Schools and community organizations looked for ways to give recognition to the great men of the past who built our nation into one of the greatest societies the world has ever known. Tall ships of sail gracefully entered ports along every coast, hearkening back to the days of wooden sailing vessels that plied blue oceans around the world.
On the morning of the 4th, there were parades in small towns and large cities from coast to coast, each of them granting honor and recognition to our military, first responders, children’s organizations, local businesses, and dignitaries of every level. Later, night-time fireworks illuminated the sky in colorful brilliance, eliciting boisterous cheers of deep appreciation and honor for all that the USA had been over the prior 200 years.
It was a grand and glorious celebration, one that honored the past while also looking forward with hope and expectation for the next decades and beyond.
Fifty years later, we are a different nation. Our people have been spiritually weakened. Our government – both major parties – have emphasized rule and enrichment for themselves rather than effectively serving the people who elected them.
Progressivism, a nice-sounding name, but poorly wrapped package has arisen as a deceptive brand of socialism and ultimately communism. This evil, predatory ideology has encroached upon portions of our land and its citizens. In addition, millions of people have came to eat at the table of America, yet with no desire to blend and build, or contribute to its success.
Yet, in spite of the challenges we face as a people who love America, today is a day to celebrate the goodness and blessings granted to us by God. As a people, may it be that we turn again to Him, which will bring a new outpouring of His blessing.
So then – Happy Birthday America!
© 2026 Jeffery J. Michaels / Plain English Publications
(Quotations allowed with attribution to this blog)