As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, national celebrations are shaping up to be a focal point of political discourse. The current narrative, as described, involves President Donald Trump making the semi-quincentennial his personal event, with headline-grabbing activities such as a UFC fight on the South Lawn and a Trump rally replacing a planned concert series. Reports indicate a decline in attendance for events like the Great American State Fair and uncertainty regarding the timing of a fireworks display, contingent on the President's speech.
This approach to national commemoration is not without historical precedent. According to MJ Rymsza-Pawlowska, a historian at American University and author of "History Comes Alive: Public History and Popular Culture in the 1970s," the 1976 bicentennial under President Richard Nixon also faced challenges and controversy.
Early Plans and Shifting Visions
Bicentennial planning began in 1966 under President Lyndon Johnson, who established the American Revolutionary Bicentennial Commission. Johnson envisioned a celebration that would highlight his domestic agenda, The Great Society, by investing federal resources into American cities through an international exposition. Philadelphia was ultimately chosen to host this World's Fair, intended to serve as a model city showcasing Johnson's programs.
When President Nixon took office in 1968, he sought to reshape the bicentennial to align with his own priorities. While initially favoring an international exposition, Nixon's focus shifted from infrastructure development to celebrating America and his own presidency. He appointed political allies and cabinet members to the Bicentennial Commission, moving it away from its nonpolitical roots under Johnson.
Pushback and Grassroots Engagement
Despite Nixon's intentions, his administration faced significant pushback. The intensifying Vietnam War and Nixon's contentious public image fueled opposition. An organization called the People's Bicentennial Commission, supported by civics teachers, advocated for a more reflective approach to the anniversary, encouraging a commemoration that acknowledged the diversity of experiences and opinions across America.
During the 1970s, various social movements, including the Civil Rights, women's rights, and Native American rights movements, called for a more complex and inclusive understanding of American history. These groups highlighted that for many, particularly Native Americans, the nation's history was one of colonization rather than solely freedom and expanded rights.
The Nixon administration, dealing with the Watergate scandal concurrently, found its vision for a straightforward, patriotic bicentennial faltering. Recognizing this, the administration shifted course. In a 1974 speech, Nixon announced a new direction, stating that the bicentennial would not be dictated by Washington but would instead "trigger a chain reaction of tens of thousands of individual celebrations, large and small, planned in and carried out by citizens in every part of America."
The 1976 Legacy
This shift led to the establishment of the American Revolutionary Bicentennial Administration, tasked with distributing funds to local groups and individuals planning bicentennial events. Consequently, the bicentennial experience for most Americans was largely grassroots-driven, reflecting a distinctly 1970s approach to commemoration. This model fostered local projects and organizations that, according to Rymsza-Pawlowska, continue to have a lasting impact, with local museums and libraries often receiving funding for exhibits and oral histories.
Rymsza-Pawlowska suggests that elements of this grassroots spirit are already emerging in current 250th-anniversary celebrations, pointing to local projects in cities like Washington, D.C., such as public library exhibits and community initiatives like "Made By Us," which encourages public dialogue about the nation's future. She indicates that while the national narrative may be politicized, opportunities for more inclusive, community-focused celebrations exist if sought out.