Last updated on July 31st, 2026
The United States of America turns 250 years old this July 4, and with it comes some hype for the nation’s semiquincentennial. That said, the 250th hype hasn’t come remotely close to reaching that of the bicentennial in 1976. In the mid-1970s, hype around the bicentennial was inescapable for most Americans.
Below are my list of reasons why there’s much less buzz for America’s 250th anniversary, especially in media.
1. Trump
While it’s stating the obvious at this point, the fact is Trump’s very polarizing (to put it mildly). As such, it’s hard for many to feel in the mood for the type of patriotic fervor that the 250th should invite. Especially when the Trump administration makes clear that people who look like yours truly aren’t who they consider “real Americans.”
On top of Trump’s authoritarianism and racist/anti-LGBTQ/anti-immigrant policies, Trump’s tastes are tacky, old-fashioned, and self-aggrandizing. Unlike the bicentennial, which was also largely a bipartisan Congressional effort, Trump’s taken control of the 250th celebrations to a heavy degree. As such, his plans (as of this writing) include a rally with himself as the headliner, replacing a music concert that saw almost all of the scheduled acts pull out. There’s also a UFC fight scheduled for Flag Day (“coincidentally” also Trump’s 80th birthday) on the White House lawn.
Overall, even if (somehow) ignoring his politics, Trump clearly isn’t someone capable of the very low bar of putting on a basic party that’s actually fun.
2. Less of a monoculture vs. the 1970s
In 1976, US media had relatively fewer outlets versus in 2026, even if media was much less concentrated than it is now. The average American had access to three commercial broadcast networks (ABC, CBS, NBC), PBS, a variety of radio stations, at least one local daily newspaper, movies (produced by smaller versions of today’s studios), and various magazines/books/comics. The modern internet didn’t exist, while cable TV, home video, video games, and personal computers were all in their infancy.
As such, the bicentennial hype was hard to avoid. ABC aired on Saturday mornings “America Rock,” US history and government themed segments of the educational animated shorts series “Schoolhouse Rock.” CBS from 1974 to 1976 aired “Bicentennial Minutes,” short facts about some facet of US history on that date 200 years ago.
Marvel and DC Comics both ran stories and reprint collections tying into the bicentennial. Marvel had the oversized “treasury” special “Captain America’s Bicentennial Battles.” DC had a Superman storyline running in “Action Comics” #460–463 tying into the bicentennial. The title of the story in “Action Comics” #463’s “bicentennial blockbuster” actually is “Die Now, Live Later”; the villain on the cover had sent Clark back in time to 1776, brainwashed into thinking he lived in colonial America. DC also had a bicentennial treasury special with Superman on the cover, but bizarrely, it wasn’t about Superman at all—it was just reprints of 1950s “Tomahawk” stories (a series set during the American Revolution).
Meanwhile, the rise of the internet and other modern technologies (from cable TV to smartphones to online algorithms) has seen a fracturing of media, and the idea of a monoculture decline. Everyone can now choose their own media, customized for their own tastes, and without ever having to tune into the traditional broadcast networks or touch a (now-dying) newspaper, magazine, or even comic book.
In contrast to 1976, Marvel this year did release a 250th special, while DC seems to have entirely ignored it.
3. The World Cup
The 250th celebration is coming at the same time as the US hosting this year’s World Cup soccer playoffs/championship, alongside matches in Canada and Mexico. The World Cup runs from June 11 to July 19, with two matches scheduled for July 4 itself.
As such, given the global nature of the World Cup, it’s hard to go all into aggressive flag-waving (well, more so than usual for Americans) like the bicentennial. Conglomerates are also seeing their attention (re: sponsorships, themed packaging, etc.) split between the World Cup and the 250th festivities. The World Cup’s also attracting negative attention, per Trump (again) and FIFA’s own problems.
4. The modern state of media conglomerates
Finally, there’s the modern state of US media, and media conglomerates. Since 1976, media conglomerates have become much more heavily massive and concentrated. Today, media in the US is largely concentrated among: Comcast; Paramount; Warner Bros. (soon to be owned by Paramount); and Disney. The largest streaming services are mostly owned by these same companies, along with Netflix and Amazon. And of course, the internet exists, though social media is nearly all owned by the same few billionaires.
One aspect of this concentration is media conglomerates are more concerned about international audiences now than back in the 70s.The need to not alienate audiences in Europe or China, especially for movies, might make American media conglomerates less inclined to engage in bicentennial-level flag-waving? Also, given the decline in linear TV, CBS airing “250th Anniversary Minutes” wouldn’t have the influence today as Bicentennial Minutes back in the Ford administration. And, of course, modern media conglomerates are caught up in their own corporate doings, including the Paramount/Warner Bros. merger and NBC celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.
That said, the classic Big Three networks and PBS do plan on airing 250th specials, with ABC the most ambitious (spread across Disney’s other streaming/cable assets). Still, despite or because of the explosion of media outlets, all of this pales compared to the 1970s bicentennial efforts.
Conclusion
Overall, the hype for the 250th anniversary isn’t as strong as that for the bicentennial. Trump doesn’t leave much of the public feeling celebratory about the country; the World Cup is being held at the same time; media is now much more fractured and individualized versus the 70s; and modern media conglomerates are more concerned about mergers, their massive number of assets, and international box offices.
As such, this year’s July 4 will for most people be a somewhat-more-hyped version of the usual festivities (barbecues, parades, fireworks), and… that’s it. The idea of America’s 250th anniversary being all-consuming like the bicentennial in 1976 is as likely as “All in the Family” and “Happy Days” being this year’s most-watched TV shows.
Image: “Captain America’s Bicentennial Battles” (art by Jack Kirby) (Marvel); “Action Comics” #463 (art by Bob Oksner) (DC Comics); “1776” (art by Pete Woods) (Marvel).
