250 Countdown

I am old enough to remember the nation’s bicentennial in 1976

I am old enough to remember the nation’s bicentennial in 1976, an easier word to pronounce during a much simpler time. Like any era of human doing, it was not a time without its share of problems.

The country was recovering from Watergate, the Vietnam War, gas shortages, high inflation, and a new term that joined the economic lexicon: stagflation, while disco, polyester and the nadir of the American auto industry dotted the landscape. A well-meaning but ill-fated President Gerald Ford presided over the nation, soon to be followed by the hapless Jimmy Carter.

The celebration offered a moment of patriotic renewal, a chance to reconnect with founding ideals, and a hopeful look toward the future.

July 4, 1976, culminated in New York with Operation Sail where tall ships from around the world sailed into New York Harbor in what seemed like a nonstop parade. The ships were to be welcomed by the largest American flag constructed on the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge that lasted about two hours before the prevailing winds of the harbor tore it to shreds. It was a magnificent site that was captured by few photographers. It was a memory more for its ambition than its longevity. A picture of it was displayed in my parent’s home shortly thereafter.

The fireworks that each block featured were nothing short of World War III. Throughout New York’s five boroughs, fire hydrants were allowed to be painted from their black and silver to representations of anything regarding America’s revolution. Nearly a decade later, some of the plugs still had their Spirit of ’76 still standing tall. There were the commemorative items like bicentennial quarters, stamps and CBS’ famous one minute history lesson: The Bicentennial Minute schooled many who were unenlightened to America’s founding and revolution.

The “Tytler Cycle” underscores the fragility of democratic societies from liberty to abundance, then to apathy, dependence, and eventually back to bondage

The bicentennial road was paved with more than just fireworks and fanfare--it was a time of reflection. That hasn’t changed. I often wondered if the Founders would recognize the republic they founded. Moreover, would someone who passed away in 1976 recognize America today?

As the runup to our nation’s 250th birthday gets underway a Gallup poll found that 58% are very or extremely proud to be an American--a record low. In January 2001, when Gallup first ran this poll, 87% were very or extremely proud Americans. After 9/11, it was 90%.

Enter 18th-century Scottish historian and judge, Alexander Tytler, who is credited with saying democratic societies lifespan is about 250 years. The “Tytler Cycle” underscores the fragility of democratic societies from liberty to abundance, then to apathy, dependence, and eventually back to bondage. All end cycles are filled with violence and economic downturns.

Beyond football, fireworks, funnel cakes, B-2 bombers and bunker busters, the American nation was the first nation established on the principle of limited and representative government.

Every time the government grows, it takes away from self-determination and liberty.

This is the anthesis of what the Founders established.

John Adams’ famous reflection on the Constitution: “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.” To Adams and many of the Founders the success of the nascent American nation did not lie solely with the rule of law but with shared sense of virtue and responsibility. Adams advocated morality as an essential ingredient in sustaining our American republic.

Adams also warned, “Liberty, once lost, is lost forever,” emphasizing how fragile freedom can be if citizens become complacent.

Most have never spent time in the Third World. To renew your appreciation of America an extended stay is a must.