For those of us who remember America’s Bicentennial in 1976, it’s hard to explain just how much patriotism shaped everyday life that summer.
Flags waving from front porches. Kids chasing sparklers barefoot through the backyard. Boats on the lake. The radio playing somewhere in the distance. Red, white, and blue everywhere you look. For many of us, those memories are stitched into childhood.
My mom had this patriotic shirt with a giant “76” on it that she wore to the beach all summer long, and honestly, it was a whole vibe. Everyone had Bicentennial license plates too, which — once they expired — my dad proudly hung on the garage wall like artwork. There was pride everywhere. Families celebrated together. Communities felt connected. Patriotism wasn’t complicated — it was joyful.
This year, as America celebrates 250 years of independence, it feels like the perfect time to rediscover some of that spirit again.
As a first-generation American family, this milestone means something deeply personal to us. My family knows freedom is not guaranteed. The opportunities we enjoy in this country are extraordinary gifts, purchased through sacrifice, courage, faith, and generations willing to fight for liberty.
So yes — enjoy the fireworks and hot dogs. But also take a little time to explore the story behind them.
Read the Words That Changed History
I would bet most Americans haven’t actually sat down and read the Declaration of Independence since high school.
You should.
It is bold, emotional, rebellious, and surprisingly human. The grievances against King George III reveal just how frustrated the colonies had become, but the most revolutionary idea may be the Declaration’s assertion that our rights come not from government, but from our Creator. That belief — that freedom is inherent, God-given, and worth defending — changed the world forever.
And signing it came with enormous risk.
John Hancock famously signed his name large enough for the king to read without spectacles, but many of the Founding Fathers paid dearly for their courage. Some lost fortunes, homes, family members, and security because they believed liberty was worth the cost.
One simple idea for the Fourth of July? Read the Declaration aloud with family or friends. Especially with children and grandchildren. History just feels different when spoken out loud.
Explore America250 Across Michigan
One of the best parts of this anniversary is realizing you do not have to travel to Philadelphia or Washington, D.C. to experience America’s story.
Michigan is filled with meaningful events and destinations this summer. Start locally with America250MI.org and explore celebrations happening all across the state.
Here in Mount Clemens, the Crocker House Museum will host its elegant Three Wives Garden Tea on July 17th. While much of our local history begins after the Revolutionary War, the pioneering spirit born from America’s fight for independence shaped early founders like Christian Clemens and George Crocker. Guests will enjoy signature house-blended iced teas, charcuterie, and beautiful garden surroundings that celebrate both hospitality and heritage.
Macomb County is also planning the massive Macomb Patriotic Cruise on July 25th, traveling up Gratiot Avenue through Eastpointe, Roseville, Clinton Township, Mount Clemens, Chesterfield Township, and Richmond — a rolling celebration of patriotic pride and community spirit.
In Metro Detroit, The Henry Ford will host the remarkable Freedom Plane National Tour: Documents That Forged a Nation from July 9–26. Visitors will have the rare opportunity to see original founding-era documents including the Treaty of Paris, George Washington’s Oath of Allegiance, and Senate markups of the Bill of Rights.
And if your summer plans include heading north, make time for Colonial Michilimackinac. Standing inside the fort overlooking the Straits, it becomes a little easier to imagine what life looked like in 1776 on the edge of the British Empire.
History That Reads Like Adventure
If you really want to connect with America’s founding story, skip the dry textbooks.
One of my personal favorites is 1776 by David McCullough, which honestly reads more like an action novel than a history book. I will never forget the descriptions of what soldiers endured at Valley Forge — the hunger, the frostbite, exhaustion, and perseverance. It gave me an entirely new appreciation for the sacrifices made for American independence, and honestly, I was surprised we never learned more about it in school.
I also highly recommend the “Real Series” by Andrew M. Allison and Jay A. Parry, including The Real George Washington, The Real Thomas Jefferson, and The Real Benjamin Franklin. Franklin, my personal favorite, especially comes alive on the page — witty, inventive, endlessly curious, and far more colorful than most of us were taught in school.
I’d also recommend Betsy Ross and the Making of America by Marla R. Miller, which I actually picked up while visiting Philadelphia. It is a wonderful reminder that America was built not only by famous leaders, but by ordinary people too.
Watch History Come Alive
For families looking for something meaningful to watch together this summer, the HBO miniseries John Adams is outstanding. I actually still own it on disc, but thankfully you can now stream it on HBO Max.
Adapted from David McCullough’s Pulitzer Prize-winning biography, the series follows Adams from the Boston Massacre through the Revolution, diplomacy abroad, the presidency, and his lifelong friendship and rivalry with Thomas Jefferson.
What I love most is that it reminds viewers the Revolution was led by imperfect, exhausted, courageous human beings — not marble statues.
This July also brings the release of Young Washington, focusing on George Washington’s early military experiences during the French and Indian War. The film hits theaters beginning July 3rd, so check local showtimes. It offers a fascinating look at the young leader long before he became America’s first president.
Bring Patriotism Home
America250 is also the perfect excuse to fully embrace patriotic summer style.
Set the table with blue hydrangeas, vintage flags, striped linens, and backyard candlelight. Pull out Grandma’s pie recipes. Host the barbecue. Fly the flag proudly. Turn on classic Americana music. Wear the red, white, and blue shirt.
Most importantly, gather together.
Because long after the fireworks fade, what children and grandchildren will remember most are the feelings attached to these moments — the laughter, stories, traditions, gratitude, and pride shared around the table.
Two hundred and fifty years later, America’s story is still being written.
And what a blessing it is to celebrate being part of it.
“Patriotism wasn’t complicated — it was joyful. Families celebrated together, communities felt connected, and freedom was something people genuinely appreciated and proudly displayed.”