America Turned 250 — And Nobody Seemed to Notice

Fifty years and a few odd weeks ago, back in 1976, our nation celebrated its Bicentennial – the 200th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. If you were around in 1976, you probably remember that it was much more than a single Fourth of July celebration. The entire country spent a year wrapped in red, white, and blue.

The Bicentennial was everywhere you turned. There were special logos, decorations, advertisements, and commemorative items filling stores, homes, schools, and communities. I still remember the excitement of seeing Bicentennial quarters, Bicentennial beer cans, and soft drink bottles. Who can forget 7-Up’s famous “United We Stand” Bicentennial can promotion? Collectors could gather all 50 state cans and arrange them together to create a larger patriotic image. It was the kind of creative promotion that captured the excitement of the times.

The Bicentennial spirit was also very visible in our schools. Students learned about American history, participated in patriotic programs, and celebrated the nation’s 200th birthday in many different ways. I remember being a little envious of my brother, Roger, because he was part of the 1976 Bicentennial graduating class. Seemed like a pretty cool year to graduate.

How different the 250th anniversary of the United States feels. It simply doesn’t have the same level of excitement and attention that surrounded the Bicentennial. Not even close. I found myself wondering why people were letting such an important milestone slip under the radar.

Then I realized something: I am a people.

As someone who maintains NFL schedules on this website, I realized I could do my own little part in celebrating America: I added the official America250 logo to the schedules. I get that this is a pretty small thing, but it’s one little way that I can contribute to the nationwide semiquincentennial celebration that should have been so much bigger.

I hope this logo serves as a reminder to pause, remember our history, and appreciate this remarkable milestone. God bless America!

As always, run to daylight!
Randy