250 years of the Declaration of Independence: between the anniversary fireworks and the existential question

On July 4, 2026, the United States celebrates its 250th birthday — the bicentennial of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. In Philadelphia, where the Second Continental Congress adopted the document declaring the separation from the British crown 250 years ago, patriotic speeches are being delivered today. A grand show called "Salute to America" is taking place on the National Mall in Washington with a record 850,000 fireworks. For the first time in history, the famous ball on Times Square descends over Manhattan in honor of Independence Day. But behind this splendor lies a troubling reality: American society has approached its anniversary deeply divided, and the main question on the 250th anniversary is whether this country can survive even another 250 years?

A Declaration that changed the world

On July 4, 1776, representatives of the thirteen British colonies in Philadelphia adopted a document authored by Thomas Jefferson. It proclaimed ideas that now seem self-evident, but in that era were a daring challenge: all men are created equal and endowed with inalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The Declaration enshrined the right of the people to alter or abolish the government if it violates these rights. As German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier noted in his congratulatory message, the revolutionaries signed a document that was supposed to change history.

These principles became the foundation of American identity. For 250 years, the country has tried to build a "more perfect Union," as stated in the Preamble to the Constitution. But this path has never been straight: The Declaration proclaimed universal equality, but the republic that followed it for centuries fought against slavery, segregation, and inequality. As historians note, the Constitution itself became a history of incomplete redemption — each amendment was an acknowledgment that the original document remained incomplete.

A bicentennial that divides

America has been preparing for the 250th anniversary thoroughly. As early as 2016, Congress established the Commission on the Bicentennial to coordinate national celebrations. In January 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order creating a targeted group "Celebrating the 250th Anniversary of America" at the White House. The organizers envisioned this to be the most massive and inclusive anniversary event in the country's history.

However, the preparation for the festivities turned into another round of political battles. Democrats accused the president of using the anniversary for a partisan spectacle before the midterm elections in Congress in November and trying to "rewrite" the history of the United States in a glossy version. Republicans, in turn, insisted that such a scale was worthy of a great date. The result — at least seven states have refused to participate in the "Great American State Fair," the central event of the celebration, which became a vivid testament to fragmentation and politicization of the anniversary.

An existential question: will America exist in 250 years?

The most troubling symptom is public sentiment. According to a Reuters and Ipsos poll conducted in June 2026, about 38 percent of Americans believe that in 250 years the United States will no longer exist as a unified country. Among Democrats, 40 percent think so, among Republicans — 26 percent. This is not just statistics — it is evidence of a deep crisis of trust in institutions and the future of the country.

As China Daily writes, "anniversaries are mirrors. The reflection that appears before the United States today is more bitter than the fireworks illuminating the sky on Independence Day." Polarization has turned political disagreements into an existential conflict, appointments of judges are increasingly perceived through party-colored glasses, and the legitimacy of elections is questioned with increasing frequency. Constitutional norms, which once relied on unwritten limitations, are increasingly dependent on legal formalities.

Researchers at Cornell University call the current moment "especially difficult" for American democracy due to a unique combination of social, political, and economic pressures. In its 2026 report, Human Rights Watch notes that the Trump administration "has significantly undermined or put at risk the rule of law, freedom of speech, the right to vote, and key oversight, accountability, and transparency mechanisms."

Who defines the past, defines the future

At the heart of the anniversary disputes is the fight for the interpretation of history. The Trump administration is not just celebrating the 250th anniversary but trying to establish an official narrative that emphasizes the greatness of the founding fathers, constitutional traditions, and national pride. As Chinese publication The Paper notes, "who defines 1776 is more likely to define 2026." However, this official narrative is facing growing skepticism: many Americans are increasingly asking whether the existing system can address real problems — social stratification, economic inequality, and institutional crisis.

The paradox of the 250th anniversary, according to experts, is that "political elites are trying to appeal to the basics, while ordinary citizens are increasingly doubting whether this system can address real problems of life — fragmentation, chaos, and disorder." The country celebrates its birthday, but it is immersed in a deep search for identity. As The Paper writes, "this is not just a celebration, but a trial of what America is." [reference:28]

International dimension: hegemony in question

The foreign policy context only exacerbates internal instability. Russian expert Alexandra Vointolovskaya notes that Americans are dissatisfied with both President Trump's domestic policy, which expands executive power at the expense of the legislative and judicial branches, and his foreign policy. In just two years, the republican administration has launched a war against Iran, conducted military operations in Venezuela, conducted operations in the Strait of Hormuz, and carried out air strikes on targets in Yemen, Somalia, Nigeria, Syria, and Iraq.

In this situation, the anniversary celebrations, according to Vointolovskaya, look like a "feast in the time of plague." The massive fair, the largest fireworks display, the sailing regatta, the air show, and numerous concerts raise a legitimate question among voters: how appropriate is it to finance these events from the budget?

The international authority of the United States is also facing a test. As China Daily notes, since 1945, Washington has largely provided global security architecture, but privileges entail obligations. The financial dominance of the dollar, control over payment systems, and sanctions policy have turned monetary power into a geopolitical lever, inevitably imposing asymmetric costs on other countries.

What next: reform or decline?

The 250th anniversary has become a moment of truth. The founders of the United States, as China Daily reminds us, "deliberately created a system capable of correction because they understood human imperfection." Each period of renewal required difficult self-analysis, not comforting mythology.

On this anniversary day, Congressman Salad Karbachal called on Americans to "recommit ourselves to the values that have guided our country towards a more perfect Union for 250 years" [reference:36]. The question is whether this call will be heeded by those who no longer believe in the possibility of such a Union. Because, as one correspondent aptly noted, "democracy weakens when citizens lose confidence that they are truly shaping their own future. Democracy requires more than just formal elections."

250 years of the Declaration of Independence is not only a reason for pride but also a warning. A nation founded on the idea that all men are created equal is today as far from this ideal as ever. And while fireworks illuminate the sky over Washington, millions of Americans are asking: can their country, which has survived the Civil War, the Great Depression, and many other crises, survive the crisis of trust in itself? The answer to this question will determine not only the fate of the United States but also the future of the entire world that has lived by American models for decades.

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