EPISODE · Jul 3, 2026 · 51 MIN
Celebrating America's 250th birthday during a time of divide
from Noon Edition · host Indiana Public Media
On Saturday, the United States will celebrate its 250th birthday.In towns and communities across the nation, Americans will gather to honor the anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, when the 13 colonies announced their split from Great Britain.And over the past 250 years later, those 13 colonies grew to 50 states and the United States has become one of the world’s superpowers.Read more: Indiana going all out to celebrate America’s 250th birthdayIndiana University has a number of events scheduled this summer to commemorate the anniversary. An exhibit at the Lilly Library titled, “The Declaration of Independence: The Motives, The Moment,” looks at how the colonies reached the point of insurrection.Watch: WFIU’s The State of Inquiry Podcast: America 250And, the nation’s capital is celebrating with a two-week long “Great American State Fair” on the National Mall. But like most events over the past decade or two, claims of its politization have driven a wedge into the celebration.But for some, the celebration of the country’s 250th birthday has turned into more of a wake.Read more: America turns 250. Not everyone is celebratingOn this week’s Noon Edition, we’ll discuss America's 250th anniversary - if we're living up to the revolutionary ideals, how today's cultural wars fit in the country's history, how we’re celebrating the Fourth this year and why some may not feel like celebrating.GuestsErika Dowell, Executive Associate Director, IU’s Lilly LibraryLeslie Lenkowsky, Professor Emeritus, IU School of Public and Environmental AffairsCarl Weinberg, Retired Teaching Professor in the College of Arts and Sciences at IU Bloomington
What this episode covers
On Saturday, the United States will celebrate its 250th birthday. In towns and communities across the nation, Americans will gather to honor the anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, when the 13 colonies announced their split from Great Britain. And over the past 250 years later, those 13 colonies grew to 50 states and the United States has become one of the world’s superpowers. Read more: Indiana going all out to celebrate America’s 250th birthday Indiana University has a number of events scheduled this summer to commemorate the anniversary. An exhibit at the Lilly Library titled, “The Declaration of Independence: The Motives, The Moment,” looks at how the colonies reached the point of insurrection. Watch: WFIU’s The State of Inquiry Podcast: America 250 And, the nation’s capital is celebrating with a two-week long “Great American State Fair” on the National Mall. But like most events over the past decade or two, claims of its politization have driven a wedge into the celebration. But for some, the celebration of the country’s 250th birthday has turned into more of a wake. Read more: America turns 250. Not everyone is celebrating On this week’s Noon Edition, we’ll discuss America's 250th anniversary - if we're living up to the revolutionary ideals, how today's cultural wars fit in the country's history, how we’re celebrating the Fourth this year and why some may not feel like celebrating. Guests Erika Dowell, Executive Associate Director, IU’s Lilly Library Leslie Lenkowsky, Professor Emeritus, IU School of Public and Environmental Affairs Carl Weinberg, Retired Teaching Professor in the College of Arts and Sciences at IU Bloomington
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Celebrating America's 250th birthday during a time of divide
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