Happy 250th Birthday, America

In this special Independence Day message, Managing Partner Shane Tenny reflects on the historic significance of America's 250th birthday and the resilience of the nation's constitutional government. He examines what has allowed the United States to endure through centuries of challenges and explains why this milestone is not a celebration of perfection, but of perseverance, hope, and the enduring pursuit of a brighter future.

In the Video

Shane Tenny discusses:

• Why America's 250th birthday is a historic milestone unlike any other
• The distinciton between a nation's history and the longevity of its government
• How the U.S. Constitution has remained the foundation of American government
• The resilience of the United States through wars, economic challenges, and social change
• Why Independence Day is a celebration of perseverance, self-government, and the ongoing pursuit of a better future

Prefer to read? Explore the full reflection in Why America’s 250th Birthday Matters.

Transcript:

[00:00:03.12] 
Over the coming days and weeks, you're going to see it everywhere. Flags on front porches, fireworks, social media posts, and banners that scream, "Happy 250th Birthday, America!" But have you stopped to ask why this is such a remarkable milestone? Don't a lot of countries have histories that stretch back centuries or even millennia? Doesn't China's civilization and England's monarchy go back for thousands of years?

[00:00:32.27]
But culture and government are not the same thing. Governments come and go. Constitutions are rewritten. Revolutions replace old systems with new ones. And that's what makes America's 250th birthday so extraordinary.

[00:00:51.23]
All right, I had to look this up. Did you know that of the 195 countries on our planet, there is really only one whose governing framework is older than America? San Marino, a tiny little microstate surrounded by Italy, is considered the oldest republic on Earth. And after them, America, the only other to have endured 250 years. Our Constitution, put into effect in 1789, still governs the US today. It's been amended, it's been approved, but the framework itself has endured.

[00:01:29.22]
There are no comparable governments that can make a similar claim. Look, here's the contrast. The UK that exists today was formed in 1801 when Great Britain and Ireland were united. China's current government started just in 1949 following the Communist Revolution. Their histories are ancient, but their governments are not.

[00:01:54.23]
The accomplishment of America's endurance becomes even more remarkable when we consider everything it's been through: a revolution, a civil war, world wars, economic depression, political upheaval, social unrest, and profound cultural change. I'm not trying to say that we've always gotten it right. Far from it. Look, our history includes horrible atrocities like slavery and discrimination, injustice, and mistakes that have affected both our own people and our neighbors around the world.

[00:02:32.17]
While it's almost in vogue today to criticize our flaws or our leaders with exasperation, I, for one, want to make sure we don't overlook what has been accomplished because of this place that you and I call home.

[00:02:47.03]
America helped establish the idea that individual rights come from our Creator, not from governments or other people. America demonstrated that free people can govern themselves through elections rather than force or our inheritance. America played a decisive role in defeating fascism and defending freedom in the 20th century. America has generated unprecedented innovation, opportunity, and prosperity that have benefited not only its own citizens, but much of the world. And America has consistently led the world in philanthropy and humanitarian aid and charitable giving.

[00:03:32.03]
Look, none of this makes us perfect, but it does remind us that this nation has been a powerful force for good. America's birthday is not a celebration of 250 years of perfection. It is a celebration of perseverance, a celebration of resilience, and a celebration of the enduring belief that even when we get off course, Tomorrow can be better than today. For 250 years, Americans have inherited an imperfect nation and chosen to improve it rather than abandon it. That spirit of hope, determination, and self-government may be our greatest achievement of all.

[00:04:18.02]
And today we celebrate not our perfection, but our perseverance. Not our flawless history, but our resilience, and not merely our past accomplishments, but our continued resolve to build a brighter future together. And so, on behalf of all of us at Spaugh Dameron Tenny, happy 250th birthday, America.