Op-ed: Celebrating 250 years of American excellence across the nation

by Jessica Marie Baumgartner

Photo: Adobe Stock

Excitement is mounting for America’s 250th birthday. 

Not only has President Donald Trump announced the kickoff of a year’s worth of celebrations, starting at the Iowa State Fairgrounds on July 3, but Brands USA announced a new partnership with the America250 organization on Thursday. 

According to the Brand USA press release, this American travel marketing company entered the partnership to “explore the nation’s rich history, heritage, and culture throughout the anniversary year.”

America250 is hosting numerous events nationwide. From the upcoming kick-off celebration to the America Innovates traveling expo and preparations for the time capsule in every state, the countdown to 250 is on.

The America250 website offers a guide to various celebration activities, including family-friendly historic destinations and exhibits featured in the Great American Road Trip.

Parents can take a simple day trip or camp across states to show their children the beauty of this wonderful nation. Americans from all walks of life are encouraged to come together and embrace the wonders of a nation built on life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

This celebration means a lot to families like mine. Having been raised in a low-income background, I have yet to see Washington D.C., the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, or Mount Rushmore. But I plan to remedy that ASAP.

There’s a list of great American landmarks and monuments that my husband and I are checking off little by little, and our five children deserve to learn about their history and heritage firsthand. It instills a greater sense of understanding and pride to stand before the nation’s monuments.

The 250 celebration initiative is the perfect time to get out there and see the sights that were made for us. Americans have quite a year to look forward to and plenty of activities to remind us that “United we stand.”

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