Approaching America’s 250th Birthday
As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary in 2026, it faces an urgent challenge: widespread civic disconnection. Fewer than half of American adults can name all three branches of government, trust in democratic institutions continues to decline, and young Americans report increasing alienation from national identity. Amid this landscape, the 250th milestone presents a unique opportunity to re-center American civic life around shared values, historical understanding, and democratic engagement.
This is not just a celebration of the past—it is a chance to shape the country’s future. We have an opportunity to reinvigorate the American creed of self-government and principled pluralism in an era of political division and institutional distrust. We can honor the Founders by remembering their ideals and living them through civil discourse, cross-partisan dialogue, and a recommitment to liberty and effective governance.
This is a powerful moment to reflect on—and reanimate—the values that gave rise to the American experiment: equality; popular sovereignty; federalism; civic virtue; and limited, effective government. These classically liberal principles are the cornerstones of our nation’s founding, and they continue to underpin R Street’s mission and policy work today.
The 250th anniversary of America’s independence comes at a time of rapid change and political uncertainty. More than simply honoring the past, we are advancing the Founders’ vision by applying its core principles to the challenges of today. To preserve freedom, free markets, and effective government requires more than ideas—it demands conviction, courage, and a renewed commitment to the American promise.
R Street’s work is grounded in the belief that the American experiment endures only when its principles are actively understood and practiced. We aim to strengthen democratic culture, elevate civic discourse, and ensure that liberty and self-government continue to thrive for generations.
Event: The Ideas That Built America—and Where They Stand Today
5:00PM – 6:30PM EST
Event: Democracy at 250: From Gerrymandering to Genuine Representation
5:00PM – 6:30PM EST
More work celebrating America’s 250th birthday
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