How the US Marked its 250th Anniversary: 'New Problems and Obstacles, but That Doesn't Mean It's Over as a Superpower'

The United States celebrated its 250th anniversary as a superpower facing new challenges, with experts suggesting its resilience remains intact. Dimitrije Milić of New Third Way noted that America has historically overcome difficulties, emerging stronger, such as after the Civil War when it became a leading industrial power.

"America is always between intervention and non-intervention in world affairs," Milić stated, emphasizing the significant responsibility that comes with being a global power and the need for pragmatic decisions.

Celebrations across the country included parades and fireworks. However, the central event in Washington D.C. was disrupted by a heatwave followed by a storm, leading to chaotic conditions and evacuations. The planned program, including a speech by Donald Trump, started late, with fireworks commencing around midnight. Approximately 400,000 people were initially present before the evacuation.

Historian Vukašin Zorić from the Center for American Studies described the U.S. approaching its anniversary as a "globally interesting phenomenon." He contrasted the current situation with the nation's 200th birthday, which occurred in a more unified bipolar world. Today, he observed, the anniversary is marked by division.

Zorić also highlighted the central question of "what is the American Dream today?" He reflected on the historical perception of America as a land of second chances. Current political discourse, particularly from Trump, challenges the traditional notion of American identity, questioning whether it will be based on blood ties or the principle of being born on U.S. soil. Zorić pointed out that the Declaration of Independence itself enshrines the pursuit of happiness as a core American value.