July 4 2026 / 250 years

[temporal1]

July 4 2026 / 250 years

This was a big year in U.S. history.
It was a quiet day/time for my family, but, lots going on to mark 250 years.

i’d enjoy visiting Colonial Williamsburg, i don’t believe it’s in my future.
Decades ago, we visited The Shelburne Museum in Vermont. Really nice on Lake Champlain.
i imagined it was a small CW. https://shelburnemuseum.org/

It seems lots of communities, even small towns, had public readings of The Declaration of Independence.
i thought i’d add this one:

Colonial Williamsburg / Thomas Jefferson Reads the Declaration of Independence / 33+min

0:12:00 - Procession
0:17:32 - The Declaration of Independence

“Begin your July 4th celebration with the words that started a new nation. Join us LIVE from Colonial Williamsburg's Historic Area as Thomas Jefferson reads the Declaration of Independence, 250 years after it was written.

The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation is a private, nonprofit 501(c)3 educational institution that operates the largest U.S. history museum.“

This topic is meant for anything related to the U.S. 250 year mark.
i noticed some other countries joined in with celebrations and congratulations, so thoughtful.
Whatever is of interest.

God willing, next up: 300 years!

[temporal1]

Library of Congress

Independence Day

“On July 4, 1776, the Second Continental Congress unanimously adopted the Declaration of Independence, announcing the colonies’ separation from Great Britain. The Constitution provides the legal and governmental framework for the United States. However, the Declaration, with its eloquent assertion “all Men are created equal,” is equally beloved by the American people.”
https://www.loc.gov/item/today-in-histo ... .X2DoA.XG8

[Valerie]

If the Lord tarries on His Second Advent…. I remember the Bicentennial in 1976 (my high school graduation we wore red white & blue tassels on our caps) and at that time, many thought the Lird was returning soon. He is tarrying due to His mercy & the fullness of the Gentiles is not yet.

There is an attempt to destroy this country “from within” which as we know, a Kingdom divided against itself will not stand. Praying for eyes to be opened.

I really enjoyed the 4th. Our town had many special events (I worked though 8-4) but still had a special orchestra/band concert on our square with ice cream social.

We really enjoyed watching the celebration at the Capitol hosted by Fox News- people said they will remember it all their lives- I loved viewing the audience & children’s faces- they were up into the morning as it was delayed but very wides eyed & in awe.

Praying for peace

[Bootstrap]

There is an attempt to destroy this country “from within” which as we know, a Kingdom divided against itself will not stand. Praying for eyes to be opened.

I don't think there's any sizable group that wants to destroy the country. I do think there are different opinions on how a healthy democracy functions, how to handle immigration, what brings inflation down, how to fairly tax at all income levels, whether and how things like artificial intelligence should be regulated, how best to preserve freedom of religion, and how much the government should legislate morality.

One thing we can celebrate is the strong differences among the Federalists, the Anti-Federalists, people of quite different religious persuasions, strongly different views on slavery, and others who found ways to come together to create one government. It wasn't easy. It's not easy today.

When any political group treats those who disagree as an enemy to be destroyed, shut down, shut out, that creates the division you are talking about. And I agree, a Kingdom divided against itself will not stand. Perhaps we all need our eyes open.

[Bootstrap]

i’d enjoy visiting Colonial Williamsburg, i don’t believe it’s in my future.

I've been there several times, and I like it. I especially going to the various shops where they show printing presses, carpentry, and other skilled trades from the time. They enjoy answering your questions.

Fun fact: the Williamsburg fifes have a specific pitch that means you really can't play them with modern instruments. Or even other colonial fifes from certain other regions. I used to make fifes and flutes once upon a time ...

[Valerie]

There is an attempt to destroy this country “from within” which as we know, a Kingdom divided against itself will not stand. Praying for eyes to be opened.

I don't think there's any sizable group that wants to destroy the country. I do think there are different opinions on how a healthy democracy functions, how to handle immigration, what brings inflation down, how to fairly tax at all income levels, whether and how things like artificial intelligence should be regulated, how best to preserve freedom of religion, and how much the government should legislate morality.

One thing we can celebrate is the strong differences among the Federalists, the Anti-Federalists, people of quite different religious persuasions, strongly different views on slavery, and others who found ways to come together to create one government. It wasn't easy. It's not easy today.

When any political group treats those who disagree as an enemy to be destroyed, shut down, shut out, that creates the division you are talking about. And I agree, a Kingdom divided against itself will not stand. Perhaps we all need our eyes open.

They’re pretty loud about their intentions Boot, they’re loud, they’re proud, & they’re influential. It’s growing. By our prayers it will hopefully come to naught but I watch them speak.

Did you hear Justice Alito say America better wake up before it’s too late?

[Bootstrap]

They’re pretty loud about their intentions Boot, they’re loud, they’re proud, & they’re influential. It’s growing. By our prayers it will hopefully come to naught but I watch them speak.

Did you hear Justice Alito say America better wake up before it’s too late?

Who exactly is “they”? Please be specific, and point me to where I can read or hear them expressing those views in their own words. I’m reluctant to accept claims about what “they” believe unless I can see the evidence for myself.

I absolutely agree that we need to protect the Constitution and preserve the unity of the nation. But unity does not require agreeing on everything. The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution are precious because they give people with profound disagreements a way to remain one people. We should pay attention whenever anyone advocates ideas that undermine constitutional government or the equal dignity of other people. Those are principles worth defending together.

To me, what threatens a republic is not disagreement over taxes, immigration, religion, or the role of government. It’s when any of us begin treating fellow citizens as enemies to be defeated rather than neighbors to be persuaded; when we excuse abuses because our side benefits; or when we stop believing that truth, law, elections, and peaceful persuasion are enough.

Most Americans want to strengthen the country, not destroy it. We have different ideas about how best to do that. We always have. Any real call to unity needs to recognize that.

[temporal1]

OP:

July 4 2026 / 250 years

This was a big year in U.S. history.
It was a quiet day/time for my family, but, lots going on to mark 250 years. .. ..

This topic is meant for anything related to the U.S. 250 year mark.
i noticed some other countries joined in with celebrations and congratulations, so thoughtful.
Whatever is of interest.

God willing, next up: 300 years!

Anything pertinent to add?

We didn’t do anything celebratory, i specifically looked for the upbeat and positives, well aware of immense negativity.
i felt, if other countries can find it in their hearts to celebrate with the U.S., surely we in the U.S. could do likewise.
hope springs eternal.

barnhart: “Good things about the USA”
https://forum.mennonet.com/viewtopic.php?t=9035
Visiting+loving USA ..
https://forum.mennonet.com/viewtopic.php?t=9017

[temporal1]

If the Lord tarries on His Second Advent…. I remember the Bicentennial in 1976 (my high school graduation we wore red white & blue tassels on our caps) and at that time, many thought the Lird was returning soon. He is tarrying due to His mercy & the fullness of the Gentiles is not yet.

There is an attempt to destroy this country “from within” which as we know, a Kingdom divided against itself will not stand. Praying for eyes to be opened.

I really enjoyed the 4th. Our town had many special events (I worked though 8-4) but still had a special orchestra/band concert on our square with ice cream social.

We really enjoyed watching the celebration at the Capitol hosted by Fox News- people said they will remember it all their lives- I loved viewing the audience & children’s faces- they were up into the morning as it was delayed but very wides eyed & in awe.

Praying for peace

i’m aware of what you’re describing.
it could be another topic, i will guess a much busier topic.

[temporal1]

i’d enjoy visiting Colonial Williamsburg, i don’t believe it’s in my future.

I've been there several times, and I like it. I especially going to the various shops where they show printing presses, carpentry, and other skilled trades from the time. They enjoy answering your questions.

Fun fact: the Williamsburg fifes have a specific pitch that means you really can't play them with modern instruments. Or even other colonial fifes from certain other regions. I used to make fifes and flutes once upon a time ...

thanks. i wondered how many forum members have visited Colonial Williamsburg.
i will guess at least several.

for a time, through work, i knew a young man who worked at and lived on the CW grounds!
i was awe-struck this was possible. i believe he was a curator. (he then worked with a nearby museum in Illinois.)

i’d like to visit The Henry Ford Museum. with my family.
https://www.thehenryford.org/visit/venu ... innovation

^^looks like they have “The Spirit of America” tonight.

Greenfield Village
https://www.thehenryford.org/visit/venu ... ld-village