June 29,2026
The semi quincentennial (pronounced sem-ee-kwin-sen-TEN-ee-ul). or the 250th birthday of the United States, will be celebrated this week on July 4.
Historical documents show the “vote” took place on July 2, 1776, was formally adopted on July 4th, but most of the delegates signed primarily on Aug. 2.
I recall the bicentennial 50 years ago and taking our children to see the Freedom Train in West Des Moines. It was pulled by steam locomotives, and we could see
George Washington’s personal copy of the U.S. Constitution, the original Louisiana Purchase document, along with moon rocks from the Apollo mission.
It felt like a joyous celebration for our country.
I only wish I could share joy at this time, but I cannot. Without throwing a lot of “red meat” I continue to be dismayed, disappointed, and angry about numerous things occurring with this administration.
You all have your own values and opinions and while this is published under the Opinion tab, I only will urge you to communicate with the local, state, and federal candidates. Express your concerns and issues to them. Which one of them will best represent your values?
Then VOTE.
An absentee ballot may be requested Aug. 25. Early voting begins Oct, 14, 20 days before the Nov. 3 Election Day.
On a somewhat related note, I have just finished reading a book I received for Mother’s Day from our children, “THIS LAND IS YOUR LAND,” written by historian Beverly Gage. She visits historic sites and writes unvarnished stories of Washington being a slave owner, the atrocities directed to the Native Americans by Andrew Jackson, the aftermath of General Custer and the Battle of the Little Big Horn, and Rosa Parks who bravely displayed civil disobedience as an African American female.
I am certain this author will never be invited to speak at either of the University of Iowa’s two three-credit general education mandated courses at the Center for Intellectual Freedom.
I did take heart from a quote the author attributed to Lyndon Johnson, who served as president from 1963-1969. He described American history as “the excitement of becoming-always becoming, trying, probing, failing, resting and trying again.”
My parents weathered the Great Depression and the effects of World War Two. My husband and I have seen the assassinations of John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King.
We now observe our children and grandchildren reacting to the crisis in the decline of democracy and our U.S. Constitution. Perhaps this is the failing portion of the above-mentioned sequence. We as a Nation will rest and try again.
Happy 250th, America.
May we go forward to the United States Tricentennial or 300 candles on the birthday cake for the Country.
VIEW FROM MY WINDOW is shared by Mary Weaver of rural Rippey.
