Utahns are ready to party ahead of the nation’s 250th birthday.
This year the United States is celebrating 250 years since declaring independence, and a new poll shows Utahns are more likely to celebrate this milestone than other Americans.
The findings are part of the Deseret News/Hinckley Institute of Politics’ latest surveys of Utah and nationwide voters, conducted by Morning Consult. Ahead of the summer, voters were asked whether they’ll take part in the events and activities planned in Washington, D.C., across the country and in Utah to honor the nation’s 250th.
This year kicked off celebrations for the anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Several organizations have been working in tandem on service and learning opportunities, and parades and events in communities across the country. The goal for the year is to plan the largest commemoration of U.S. traditions and history to celebrate all that the country stands for upon the semiquincentennial.
Democrats less likely than Republicans to say they’ll celebrate 250th
Americans and Utahns who took the surveys, conducted April 15-20 by Morning Consult, were asked if they plan to celebrate the nation’s 250th birthday.
Utahns (64%), more than other Americans (48%), said they were planning on celebrating the anniversary, and Republicans were far more likely than Democrats and independents to say they will celebrate. In Utah, 80% of Republicans plan to celebrate compared to just 31% of Democrats. Nationally, 65% of Republicans have plans to celebrate and 37% of Democrats say the same.
The survey found that both in Utah and nationwide, the youngest age group, 18 to 34, were the least likely to say they would celebrate. Nationally, 44% of that age group plan to celebrate, and in Utah, 58% say they plan to celebrate the 250th.
This lack of enthusiasm is something of a concern among democracy and history experts, who have been looking for ways to engage younger Americans in traditions, values and events that make the United States unique.
At the Mount Vernon Women’s Leadership Summit earlier this year, experts spoke about the importance of getting young people and children interested in history and preservation. Parents need to utilize the tools before them, visit historic sites and teach their children about democracy and what it means to be American on this anniversary, panelists argued.
According to the surveys, just 15% of Americans say to celebrate the anniversary they will visit a historical site, museum or landmark, 24% say they will read, watch or learn about American history, and 10% say they will volunteer in their communities.
It seems that for most Utahns and Americans, they’re sticking to traditional July Fourth celebrations for this year’s anniversary. The most popular options for how people would celebrate were to spend time with family or friends, watch fireworks in their community, display American flags or patriotic decorations, and host or attend a barbecue, picnic or cookout.
Why celebrate 250?
Lindsay Chervinsky, the executive director of the George Washington Presidential Library, said in an interview with the Deseret News in March that the 250th is important because most republics don’t live longer than 300 years and it’s an accomplishment that the U.S. has made it this far.
“The anniversary is an amazing time to say, what do we need to do as the next generation to uphold our institutions, to uphold our ideas and ensure we can keep going?” she said.
It’s a sentiment similarly expressed by four of the living former U.S. presidents. Ahead of the anniversary, former Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama and Joe Biden were asked about the state of U.S. democracy through their eyes as former commanders in chief. They each expressed having hope for the future on the eve of the 250th.
Bush, interviewed by his daughter, “Today” host Jenna Bush Hager, recounted the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks and how the overwhelming volunteerism seen nationwide proved that Americans had an “outpouring of patriotism.” He said he hopes it doesn’t require another national crisis, but believes the U.S. can “recapture” that patriotic fervor because it’s “still latent in the American soul.”
Bush said he thinks the 250th anniversary is an opportunity for Americans to focus on the common good, the wonders and the history of the country. He said he’s not worried about the long-term health of the United States because he’s studied enough history to know that there were times of intense debate in the past, but argued the beauty of this democracy is that citizens can govern by casting their ballots.
“The fact that you can worship freely without government telling you how to worship, the fact that you can speak in the public square without being jailed, the fact that we have a press that’s willing to hold the powerful to account. I mean, these are all things that should, and generally do, unite us,” Bush said.
“My message is, consider yourself fortunate to be part of a great nation. Study our history so you have a better sense for what the future will be like, and be a citizen, not a spectator,” he added later. “And by that, I mean participate in the process, but also love a neighbor like you’d like to be loved yourself.”
How you can get involved
America250 is a nonpartisan initiative established by Congress to plan the 250th anniversary of the United States.
It operates with a bipartisan Congressional Caucus and is led by Rosie Rios, the former treasurer of the United States.
Rios, in an interview with the Deseret News in March, said she wanted Americans to know that there’s programming already in place in states across the country to get citizens involved in service and celebration.
“We definitely have something for every American,” she said.
Asked what she wanted Americans to feel ahead of the anniversary, she said she hoped it sparks a “renewed sense of patriotism.” Had it not been for the significant historic milestone, there would not be as many events or ways people can get engaged with the meaning of the country, Rios said.
She hopes that the younger generation can feel inspired and is galvanized by the anniversary to “really fuel their future.”
“I strongly believe that you can love your country and still want it to be more perfect, exactly as our Founding Fathers envisioned,” Rios said. “I want as many Americans as possible to feel like this is the land of opportunity all over again.”
In the lead up to July Fourth, events will be taking place in states across the country, culminating with a celebration in Washington, D.C.
In Utah, the Colonial Heritage Festival, the Dutch John Freedom Festival and an America250 potluck will take place, among other events.
UServeUtah is working with the America250 commission overseeing activities and opportunities in Utah, including for service projects.
In Washington, a ceremonial reenactment of the Declaration of Independence signing, a National Park Service parade and firework show, and several live performances will be part of the celebrations. From June 25 to July 10, the National Mall will transform into the Great American State Fair, featuring a mini state fair representation from every state.
Greg Bates, the associate director of UServeUtah, told the Deseret News that they will be supporting the Utah booth at the Great American State Fair, utilizing volunteers to staff the booth.
Trump is ramping up events in Washington in connection with the anniversary. In June, UFC Freedom 250 will be hosting a fight on the South Lawn of the White House. In August, the Freedom 250 Grand Prix will feature a race around the National Mall.
Ongoing installments will be taking place in parks nationally, and in museums like the Smithsonian museums in Washington. There will also be large activities in Philadelphia, the site of the Declaration of Independence signing, and at Mount Rushmore in South Dakota.
The Deseret News/Hinckley Institute surveys were conducted between April 15-20 among a sample of 815 Utah adults and 2,057 adults nationwide. The Utah survey has a margin of error of 3 percentage points and the national survey has a 2-percentage-point margin of error.