This coming 4th of July marks the 250th Anniversary of the United States’ Declaration of Independence, also referred to as the semiquincintennial.

President Trump and his administration have planned many celebratory events from Memorial Day to July 4th and through the fall.

Although these events seem to be patriotic on the surface, when looked at deeper they have sparked much controversy.

250 years ago, the thirteen British colonies in America declared independence from the tyrannical rule of Great Britain on July 4, 1776. After unfair taxation by King George III of the colonies, with little representation for the residents, the people came together and formed a militia to fight against the English.

Fighting continued on through the Boston Massacre’s first casualty in 1770, to the Declaration of Independence by the Continental Congress in 1776. The Revolutionary War trudged on with constant British attacks until 1783. The Treaty of Paris ended the war and formally established America’s independence.

In 1785, the United States invented its money unit as the dollar. In 1786, many Revolutionary War veterans were in a debt crisis and subject to unfair taxation.

They compared the U.S to Britain’s oppressive rule and started a small revolution. The war lasted until 1787, when a state-funded militia defeated the rebels.

Afterwards, the Constitution was written to replace the Articles of Confederation, which helped keep the colonies together during the Revolution. The Constitution established the supreme law of the land and the pathway for many future changes in the American legal system.

What events are planned?

The Trump administration has started the “Freedom 250” organization. A non-partisan organization for anonymous donors (if requested) to fund the nation’s 250th anniversary celebrations.

• Donors who gift $500,000 to $999,999 receive VIP seats and exclusive perks for celebratory events.
• Donors who gift $1 million or more are rewarded with a private “Thank you” meeting with exclusive photo shoots.
• Lastly, any donation of $2.5 million or more will allow the donor to attend a speaking event in Washington on July 4th (The Irish Times).

This has sparked some of the most controversy so far.

President Trump has shared many plans for the “most spectacular birthday party the world has ever seen.” A 250ft-tall arch in Washington is being built; A massive prayer event in May; The National Garden of American Heroes; The Patriot Games, a high school sports event with students from each state, and other 4th of July events.

What controversy is present?

To start, many people believe that these 4th of July celebrations will “whitewash” American history, censoring or avoiding topics such as slavery, segregation, discrimination, colonialism, and other negative things the U.S allowed to happen. Admittedly, a lot of the events seem to ignore diving into the rich history of this country.

While others say that President Trump is going to use this coming holiday to serve his political agenda and image instead of allowing the holiday to be bipartisan and focused solely on the nation itself.

Some believe that “Freedom 250” takes sums of money from donations for the President’s personal project, like his ballroom in the White House; Others believe that the organization is a “pay-to-play” situation, where major companies and high-class individuals who make large donations will gain access or influence to Trump’s Administration.

Similar to the 1976 Bicentennial, when President Nixon politicized raising money and many corporate allies to the point where critics called it the “buy-centennial.” (The Independent)

Should this year’s celebrations still matter to students, despite the
controversy?

Due to various controversies, another controversy arises. Should the history of our independence still matter to students, and should it be important to celebrate the semiquincintennial?

After asking students around the school, one student, Meah Vargas, 28′, says, “I think it should matter because people should know these things, especially since history is so important. People should know what our country has gone through up until today.”

When asked what Independence Day means to Peyton Witmer, 28′, she responded, “Representing the country as America,” and that was her stated reason for celebrating this year’s 4th of July.

What does this mean?

In the history of the world, many nations have come and gone. Some last almost a thousand years, while some don’t make it to 100.

For the United States to mark 250 years is a major accomplishment considering all the dark times in American History. Many have had doubts and couldn’t imagine the country making it this far. Despite all the controversy, this is undoubtedly a moment to be celebrated all the same. We have come so far as a country, and there’s still so far for us to go.