Four former presidents issued a message of hope for the United States’s future as it marks 250 years of independence.
In an excerpt of an interview set to air in full on Tuesday, former presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Joe Biden told NBC News that while the country faces challenges, there is reason for optimism in the semiquincentennial year. They sat down for the interview during a History Talks event in Philadelphia over the weekend. The event is hosted by the History Channel and traditionally features former presidents.
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“If we hold true to that idea that we the people have been gifted this chance of self government … if we pay attention to our responsibilities and our duties, and if we extend respect and thoughtfulness to our fellow citizens — even if we disagree with them — if we understand that part of this democratic project is to sort through our differences in peaceful, legal ways, then I’m confident that we’re going to have another 250-year run that’s going to be just as good,” Obama said.
Amid the flurry of celebrations marking the semiquincentennial, recent polling suggests that U.S. citizens believe the country is on shaky ground, with an NBC News survey released on Sunday showing that concerns about “threats to democracy” have become one of voters’ three top issues.
Clinton encouraged citizens not to “give up on America.”
“My message is, don’t give up on America,” he said. “We’re the longest-lasting freely elected government in history. And a lot of people didn’t think we’d make it this long. I think it would be a good thing if we made it longer. So everybody should be thinking about that this year.”
Biden similarly sought to inspire confidence in democracy, arguing that the country is “not nearly as divided as we’re being portrayed.”
Bush offered a challenge to Americans, asking them to take ownership of fostering a stronger nation.
“My message is: ‘Consider yourself fortunate to be a part of a great nation,’” he said. “Study our history so you have a better sense for what the future will be like. And be a citizen, not a spectator. And by that I mean participate in the process, but also love a neighbor like you’d like to be loved yourself.
The White House has been rolling out a number of sweeping events to mark the milestone year. President Donald Trump’s Freedom 250 organization is leading a UFC fight at the White House, an IndyCar race in Washington, D.C., and a “Great American State Fair” in the capital city, highlighting all 50 states, among other initiatives.
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America250, the organization tasked by Congress to mark the semiquincentennial, is likewise leading a host of events, including nationwide block parties on July Fourth that it says will be “the largest synchronized Fourth of July celebration in U.S. history.”
“This birthday is truly tripartisan in nature,” Kellyanne Conway, an America250 commissioner, said. “People call themselves Republicans, Democrats, independents. [But] they call themselves Americans first, and that allows them to feel that they can partake in the excitement every day that leads up to this.”
