Can you believe the United States is turning 250 this Fourth of July? Two hundred and fifty years feels like such a big, significant number - and it is. But when you really stop and think about it, we are still a very young country, compared to so many others around the world.

There are places with histories that stretch back thousands of years, layered with centuries of tradition, culture and identity. Brian and I were recently in Barcelona, Spain. Oh, my goodness, history was everywhere we looked! Barcelona is over 2,000 years old! With Roman ruins, medieval streets and Gaudi’s surreal architecture all layered on top of each other. And then there’s us, just 250 years in, still growing, still evolving, still figuring things out. And yet, look at what has been built in that relatively short time.

When this country was born in 1776, it started with a bold idea, one that was not just political, but deeply human. The belief that people should have a voice in how they are governed. That freedom matters. That each person has the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. That was revolutionary then, and in many ways, it still is today. Of course, if we are being honest, the journey from that idea to the reality we live in has not been perfect. There have been moments in our history that are painful, complicated, and hard to reconcile. But maybe part of what defines America is that tension, the space between who we say we are, and who we are still becoming.

What amazes me is how quickly this country has grown and transformed. In just a few generations, the United States expanded across an entire continent, developed systems of government that are still studied today, and became a global leader in innovation, culture and opportunity. Think about that for a second. The Constitution, written in 1787, is still the foundation of how we operate as a nation. The flag you see flying today has changed 27 times, as new states were added, each star representing growth, expansion, and new chapters in the story. At one point, the Louisiana Purchase doubled the size of the country practically overnight. That kind of growth is hard to even imagine now.

And then there are the little things, the fun facts that make us all smile. Did you know Americans eat around 150 million hot dogs on the Fourth of July alone? It’s such a simple, almost funny tradition, but it says something about who we are. We celebrate big. We gather. We mark moments with food, family and fireworks.

But beyond the history and the trivia, what really stands out to me is the spirit of this country. The United States has always been a place where people come to begin again. Where reinvention is not only possible, but expected. Where people from all over the world arrive with different stories, different backgrounds, and different dreams, and somehow weave them into something shared. That diversity is not just a feature of America, it is one of its greatest strengths.

At the same time, we are still a young country in how we show up. You can see it in how we debate, how we challenge each other, how we wrestle with big questions about who we are and where we are going. Sometimes it feels loud. Sometimes it feels messy. But growth usually is. The fact that we are still asking questions, still pushing, still striving, tells us that our story is far from finished. Happy Birthday, USA!

And what a story it has already been. In 250 years, the United States has helped shape the modern world in ways that are hard to overstate. From technological advancements like the internet, to medical breakthroughs that have saved lives, to cultural contributions through music, film and art that have reached every corner of the globe. This country has made an impact far beyond its borders. And even now, people continue to come here in search of opportunity, possibility, and a better future. That says something too.

So as you celebrate this Fourth of July, maybe between the fireworks and the gatherings and the traditions you hold dear, take a moment to really think about what 250 years represents. Not just a birthday, but a beginning that is still unfolding. A country that, despite its imperfections, continues to grow, to learn, and to reach for something better.

Because maybe that is what makes America so unique. It is not a finished product. It is a work in progress. And you, me, all of us, we are part of what it is becoming.

Happy Birthday, United States.