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Americans have been sold a cheap kind of patriotism.
We celebrate American holidays and drape our flags, but true love of country is more rare than we think. Americans, especially young Americans, do not know our history enough to love it, and we don’t love it enough to preserve it.
Our 250th anniversary is an occasion to revive American patriotism.
America250 is a step in the right direction. The bipartisan initiative educates on American history, encourages volunteer service, and tells the stories of extraordinary citizens. With efforts from the White House, members of the Trump Administration, the Smithsonian museums, and members of Congress, America250’s goal is “350 by 250” — to involve all 350 million American citizens in participating through various writing, photo, and video submissions and volunteer work by July 4, 2026.
Hillsdale College is partnering with the White House’s America 250 Task Force to produce the “Story of America” video series, which features Hillsdale President Larry Arnn and Professor of History Wilfred McClay in the retelling of America’s founding.
In his “Defense of Patriotism,” G.K. Chesterton bemoaned the education of British schoolchildren: “If we are judged, it will not be for the merely intellectual transgression of failing to appreciate other nations, but for the supreme spiritual transgression of failing to appreciate ourselves.”
Modern Americans are guilty of this very problem. A June 2025 Gallup poll found only 58% of Americans to be “extremely proud” or “very proud” to be American. This compares to the 90% who reported the same high feelings of patriotism between 2002 and 2004. Among Gen Z, the numbers are more alarming. Only 41% of Gen Z reports feeling extremely or very proud of their citizenship.
This is problematic but not particularly surprising. America is the first of its kind, a country based on ideas — and people change their ideas quickly. With a poor education system and corrupt media, we no longer share a common understanding of what it means to be American. If we hope to preserve our country, we must frequently remember our founding principles: self-government, equal human dignity, and natural rights that unite us all.
We all owe our country a debt of love and loyalty. However, we’ve long heard voices from the left calling America unlovable because of deeply embedded oppression and racism. Now we’re hearing more voices on the right echoing this sentiment from a different angle, calling America lovable only by those “Heritage Americans” whose ancestors lived here long enough. Both attitudes are deeply flawed, un-American, and harmful to our republic and its citizens.
If we want to preserve our great nation, we must set the record straight: Our country is good and worthy of celebration, and, moreover, every American citizen has a place in America’s story.
With each initiative, America250 encourages Americans to adopt a common understanding of history, serve their fellow Americans, and appreciate the opportunities America offers its citizens. At a time when our country is confused and fractured, America250 reminds Americans of our history and gives us a common experience and knowledge to draw from, bringing communities closer and inspiring greater love for our unique nation. It reminds Americans that we all have a stake in the country’s character and direction.
America demands true patriotism, not shallow sentiments. In our 250th year, we must learn to appreciate ourselves once again.
Adriana Azarian is a senior studying politics.
