AP (“Plans to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary were underway. Then came the federal funding cuts.“):
Community celebrations being planned to commemorate the nation’s 250th anniversary next year are at risk of being significantly scaled back or canceled because of federal funding cuts under President Donald Trump’s administration, according to multiple state humanities councils across the country.
The councils have been working on programming for America250, an initiative marking the milestone anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. But the Republican administration’s deep cost-cutting effort across the federal government has led the National Endowment for the Humanities to cancel its grants for state humanities councils. That has left them with less money for programming to plan for the celebration, ranging from themed K-12 school curriculums to special events at public libraries.
“I cannot imagine how we’re supposed to have a national commemoration that’s meaningful for people where they live without the humanities being supported,” said Gabrielle Lyon, executive director of Illinois Humanities, the state’s humanities council.
“What is it going to mean for small towns and rural communities who were expecting the possibility of having grants to do special exhibits, special commemorations, their own programs, and speakers and performers? All of that is now extremely tenuous. And those are exactly the kinds of things people have been looking forward to.”
The head of Washington state’s humanities council said the NEH funding cuts appeared at odds with Trump’s focus on the commemorations. Earlier this year, the president signed an executive order creating a White House task force to plan a “grand celebration worthy of the momentous occasion of the 250th anniversary of American Independence.”
[…]
This month, the Trump administration’s Department of Governmental Efficiency, overseen by billionaire Trump adviser Elon Musk, placed roughly 80% of NEH staff members on administrative leave, according to the Federation of State Humanities Councils.
The NEH also sent letters to state humanities councils across the country saying their federal grants had been terminated. The halt in funding came during the middle of the fiscal year for thousands of organizations and is causing widespread changes in their programs, including planning for the 250th anniversary.
The DOGE strategy, to the extent it can be said to exist, appears to be to shoot first and ask questions later. They seem to be operating on the presumption that, if they break functions that were actually necessary and fire people whose expertise was actually essential, they can simply be restored. I question that premise but what do I know.
Those of us of a certain age have fond memories of the Bicentennial celebration in 1975-1976. At the time—and I was 9 and 10 years old, so my perspectives were that of a child—it seemed everywhere. There was a Bicentennial minute during the commercial breaks of every television show, a Bicentennial Quarter, and a $2 bill with Thomas Jefferson’s face on it. Hell, the Dallas Cowboys changed their helmet stripes to red, white, and blue.
A July 2020 press release from the National Park Service—during the first Trump administration—seemed to envision something similar:
The National Park Service (NPS) and the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission (America 250) have partnered to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 2026. The partnership will enrich efforts to educate and inspire as the nation begins the countdown to the largest and most inclusive commemoration in the nation’s history.
The commemoration period will launch on July 4, 2020 and continue through 2026. During that time, America 250 and the NPS will work to connect nearly 350 million Americans, as well as millions of international friends, with the country’s heritage and continuing journey.
“Through the sites, stories, programs, and resources of the National Park Service, we are eager to work alongside America 250 to engage all voices in a dialogue about our country, its multifaceted history, and ongoing efforts to form a more perfect union,” said National Park Service Deputy Director David Vela exercising the authority of the Director.
“For many Americans, this July Fourth will look and feel very different,” said Daniel DiLella, Chairman, America 250. “These challenging times give us a unique opportunity to reflect on our shared history, and how each of our stories is woven together with the stories of all Americans. The National Park Service brings these stories to light through the deep cultural history of our National Park System, places where generations of Americans are reminded of our common ideals of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”
The people and places of the NPS preserve significant natural and cultural resources throughout the country. America 250 is the federal body tasked with commemorating and celebrating the nation’s 250th anniversary of independence. Together, they will work to promote shared stories and experiences and strengthen common bonds through programs, educational outreach, and signature events leading up to July 4, 2026.
This, mind you, was smack in the middle of the worst part of the COVID pandemic and very much followed the expressed wishes of Congress.
History working as it does, we’ll celebrate two notable 250ths this year: the Army Birthday (which happens to coincide with President Trump’s) on June 15th and the Marine Corps Birthday on November 10th. The Army has never emphasized its birthday in the way the Marines have, tending to emphasize unit and branch traditions over the service itself. I gather that there’s to be a big parade in honor of the first. The Marines have been pointing to the 250th for well over a year.
Given how much Trump likes pomp and circumstance, one imagines that we’ll still wind up with something big for America’s 250th. But it’s going to be hard to repair the damage done at the state and local level.
While it didn’t feel that way to me as a kid, in hindsight, the Bicentennial celebrations came at a particularly tendentious time in American history. The Vietnam War and Watergate were still fresh wounds, and we remained in the throes of “stagflation.” I’m not sure how much the hoopla over 1776 did to heal the country, but it was certainly a needed respite.
In many ways, things are worse today. And it’s not at all clear what about America we should be celebrating. The views of what “America” means are as polarized as everything else.
