The United States' last epic birthday celebration in 1976 served as a cathartic moment for a nation healing from political and social trauma, historians say.
Two years earlier, Richard Nixon's resignation over Watergate set the stage for a unifying anniversary under President Gerald Ford.
Ford declared in his 1974 inaugural speech, "Our long national nightmare is over," aiming to soothe a polarized country.
The 1976 celebrations featured massive spectacles like a historic parade of ships on the Hudson River and visits from Queen Elizabeth and French President Valéry Giscard d'Estaing.
Ford's July 4 speech emphasized that government is "a necessary good," a coded message to anti-government critics.
Historians view the 200th anniversary as a celebration of the political system's endurance after cleansing itself from the Watergate crisis.
"The 1976 celebration was more vital and happy because the system had worked," said historian Jonathan Alter.
"We were in a period of renewal and relief; today we're in fear and loathing," Alter added, noting the current authoritarian drift.
Some scholars suggest the 1976 bicentennial could have mirrored today's partisanship if Nixon had survived.
"Undoubtedly, it would have felt very different and been much more like today," said former ambassador David McKean.
Nixon attempted to control bicentennial preparations by installing political supporters, a top-down approach reminiscent of current efforts.
"Both administrations micromanaged and tried to control a top-down patriotic commemoration," said professor MJ Rymsza-Pawlowska.
Nixon's commercial approach triggered backlash, leading Congress to replace the commission with a decentralized framework.
This shift resulted in grassroots local events, allowing citizens to participate directly.
"When I talk to people, they say they went to a local picnic or museum," Rymsza-Pawlowska said.
The flexible environment allowed for deep reflection, paving the way for works like Alex Haley's 'Roots.'
This cultural mood persisted despite economic challenges like the 1973 oil shock.
"There was uncertainty about the economy, but people felt good about the political situation," said historian James Robenalt.
Robenalt described the political difference between eras as "night and day," noting opponents were not seen as enemies.
"Your political opponents today are really seen as enemies; back then, they were political opponents," he said.
McKean draws parallels to the 150th anniversary in 1926, marked by nativism and inequality after the Spanish flu pandemic.
"We had just gone through a major pandemic, not dissimilar from Covid," McKean said, noting immigration quotas signed by Calvin Coolidge.
Other anniversaries like 1876 occurred during dark times with military conflicts and disputed elections.
"We didn't have full-fledged democracy then, and we made progress in the 1960s and 70s, but now we're seeing rollbacks," McKean said.
"Yes, democracy is under siege, but we've seen that before," he concluded.
