For What It's Worth
Are you excited for America’s 250th anniversary?
We celebrate the 250th birthday of the founding of the United States this week. There are a plethora of events planned across the entire country, including here in Marshall County.
I read recently a question on social media that sort of took me aback for a moment. The question was, “Are you excited for America’s 250th anniversary?” You’ve likely also seen the word being used as ‘semiquincentennial.’ You might have to step back for a moment before you try to pronounce that one.
But when I saw the question being posed, my thought was, “Why would you not be excited?” It’s history that is happening and we become a part of it.
Do you remember the American Bicentennial of 1976? A lot was happening at the time that has a bit of resemblance to today. We had high gas prices back then (for 1976 levels) and we had inflation. We had Watergate, followed by the pardoning of Richard Nixon by Gerald Ford, a decision that divided the country. Americans were not certain about the country’s direction.
But then we celebrated. Our nation came together with parades and fireworks. We were able to look inward and find some civic pride in our communities. Some say it was a chance to reset after struggling through questions and challenges. For many, the Bicentennial felt personal, local, and restorative. The Bicentennial allowed us to move forward.
Today, we also feel division, of races, of gender preferences, economics, and politics, to name a few. Gas prices are high, by 2026 levels. There’s trust and distrust of government, there’s wars being fought and tensions abound all around us.
But 1976 shows that even in difficult times, a national anniversary can become a moment of unity, reflection, and renewed civic spirit, if we allow it to.
One of my biggest frustrations has been when we “talk a big game, but don’t do anything about it.” We have big plans, we make big statements about what we are going to do, but followup and action never seem to take place. I hope we find the courage and fortitude to take action and begin to erase the division.
Do we as a nation have big plans to celebrate and then use the celebration to point us to a new direction, as we saw in 1976? Two hundred fifty years as a nation is a big cause for celebration I think. It might be time to use it as a reason to put down the red and blue, elephant and donkey, and instead pick up the “red, white, and blue.” Enjoy and cheer on the parades, get out and fire up the barbecue, sit back and watch the fireworks, enjoy time with friends and family, and most of all, celebrate what we still consider to be the greatest country in the world.
But if you put 250 candles on the anniversary cake, have a fire extinguisher nearby and handy, just in case.
Handling the heat
With the start of this week, the thermometer started the expected hike into 90+ degree weather and its companion 100+ heat index temperatures. Mother Nature’s furnace-like gift for the holiday has brought our first consistent run of heat watches, advisories, and warnings.
With the heat, we also get the notices from weather forecasters and health officials about how we need to protect ourselves. Wear light-colored and loose-fitting clothing, wear sunscreen, drink plenty of water and take plenty of breaks when outside in the sun, stay in the air conditioning and check on your friends and neighbors.
The extreme hot weather will likely have some impact on daytime activities over the holiday. Heat may hold off or cancel some events. Make sure to be sure those events are taking place before you venture out and be aware of where cooling shelters are located if need be.
The heat apparently has already taken the life of an 83-year-old Hinds County woman, who early in the week collapsed in the heat while working in her garden. The county coroner said heat exposure was a contributing factor in the incident, which took place around 4 p.m.
The warnings which you will read or hear in the week ahead you expect to come and you will know very well, but they are warnings that need to be taken seriously. A tragic death due to heat exposure, as in the case of the woman from Bolton in her garden, would be a terrible way to remember America250. Make sure it is a happy Fourth of July!
That’s all I have for now... for what it’s worth.
Bob Bakken is Editor of the South Reporter.