The United States enters the heart of its 250th anniversary celebrations this summer with a series of events designed to reflect on the nation’s founding principles while looking ahead. From the National Mall in Washington, D.C., to the historic streets of Philadelphia, organizers are staging gatherings that emphasize shared heritage, individual contributions, and the enduring ideals of liberty. These observances arrive at a moment when questions of conscience, religious expression, and institutional authority are playing out in unexpected arenas — including on the baseball diamond.