Americans Mark 250th Anniversary With Freedom Plane Tour and Exhibitions as 1976 Draws 7 Million
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Jul 3
Americans Mark 250th Anniversary With Freedom Plane Tour and Exhibitions as 1976 Draws 7 Million
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jul 3
Summary
A nationwide “Freedom Plane” tour and exhibitions at the National Archives, Library of Congress, Smithsonian, local museums and presidential libraries are drawing thousands ahead of America’s 250th anniversary.
The commemorations come as worries about political violence and deep national division cloud the semiquincentennial, prompting comparisons with the 1976 Bicentennial, which also began under fears of public disillusionment.
In 1976, those fears gave way to mass participation: more than 12,566 communities joined Bicentennial projects, over 7 million Americans visited the Freedom Train and as many as 10 million toured Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell.
Gallup found 77% of Americans in June 1976 believed the country had achieved its founding ideals over 200 years, a benchmark the report suggests could still resonate despite today’s online anger and sharper rhetoric.