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Our 250th Anniversary

This year our nation has celebrated its 250th anniversary.

This is a time to be proud, worried, and to think hard about our future.

Only two nations have survived under the same basic government, laws and constitution for 250 years: the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and SAN MARINO—a tiny nation surrounded by Italy, guided by Its constitution since 1600.

Most governments last 30 – 35 years before a major change. Ours has certainly changed over time. Since its adoption, there have been 27 amendments to our federal constitution.

Historians say there have been about five to ten major changes in our government since 1776. These happened when people interpreted and applied the constitution in different ways. These include the JACKSONIAN ERA (1820s-30s), the CIVIL WAR AND RECONSTRUCTION (1861-1877), the JIM CROW ERA (1877-1964), the PROGRESSIVE ERA (1890s-1920s), the NEW DEAL (1930s) and the CIVIL RIGHTS ERA (1950s-1970s.)

In each of these eras, the rights of citizens were often changed. Voting rights were expanded and protected—or in some cases, retracted. Businesses faced new rules. The government took on new responsibilities to help with certain economic or social roles. 

Today we are entering a new era. We do not know what it will bring or what changes might come to our constitution and its interpretation.

Of course, our government and our history deserve both praise and criticism. At the same time that we were a beacon of hope and opportunity for millions, we were stained by slavery, sexism, and the destruction of Native nations. We cannot move forward without taking an honest look back. Being a patriot means taking responsibility, acknowledging where we’ve gone wrong, learning from our mistakes, and making things better. America was not built to be a place where we don’t have the courage to acknowledge our mistakes, where we go back, stand still, or give up our foundational values.

I remember celebrating the nation’s 200th birthday as a teenager. It was a heady and exciting time. President Nixon had left office. We were out of Vietnam, and civil rights were finally extended to all Americans. There was energy and hope, and a resolve to make things better.

Please hold onto that pride and commitment during these difficult and frightening times.

Be a patriot. Be involved. Help decide where our nation goes next.

We’re all in this together.

By Ben Boardman and Friends.

Barn Owl is paid for by Ace Allen, in loving memory of his Linn County grandparents: Bessie Epps Hart (Graham) and John Talbot Graham, 

Submit comments or questions to ace.allen@me.com