As we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, we reflect on our shared good fortune. Becoming a citizen, either by birth or by choice, affords us a special kind of privilege. It’s a form of privilege unmatched in the developed world. Our country is by no means perfect, yet the freedoms, opportunities, vast natural beauty, and rugged individualism remain abundant. Even so, these advantages can feel routine if it’s all we’ve known.

The United States in 2026 is the wealthiest and most advanced it’s ever been. In many measurable ways, it is safer than the America that previous generations inherited. Our level of healthcare and access to resources is unparalleled. Generation Z is inheriting unprecedented prosperity and technological convenience.