America at 250: The One Thing That Makes You an American Has Nothing to Do With Where You Were Born

What Truly Defines an American as the Nation Celebrates 250 Years of Independence?

As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 2026, a profound question is being asked across the nation: What does it mean to be an American?

Dr. Richard D. Land, Executive Editor of The Christian Post, addressed this question in a recent column, arguing that America is uniquely defined not by ethnicity or geography, but by a shared set of beliefs rooted in the Constitution and Declaration of Independence.

Land pointed to Benjamin Franklin's famous appeal to divine guidance during the Constitutional Convention, when the aging statesman asked the assembled delegates:

"Have we now forgotten this powerful friend? Or do we imagine that we no longer need His assistance?"

That appeal preceded the drafting of the Constitution in 1787, which remains the world's oldest surviving foundational government document.

A recent Associated Press poll reveals what Americans believe is essential to national identity. A full 88% of respondents considered a fair judicial system and rule of law essential, while 84% cited individual freedom as defined by the Constitution. Seventy three percent said speaking English was important to American identity.

Land emphasized that none of these core values is racial or ethnic in nature, calling America "the only country in the history of the world that was not founded on 'blood or soil,' but on a core set of beliefs."

The article advocates for renewed emphasis on constitutional education in primary, secondary, and undergraduate institutions to preserve America's distinctive national character and ensure future generations understand the principles that define the republic.

America's 250th Anniversary Highlights the Constitution's Enduring Legacy

The semiquincentennial celebrations are centered at key historical sites across the nation, with the National Archives in Washington, D.C. opening a major special exhibition titled "Free and Independent: A Celebration of the Declaration" on April 25, 2026.

Philadelphia, the birthplace of American independence, will serve as the centerpiece of the celebrations, with Independence Hall reopening with brand new exhibits for the first time in 50 years. The nonpartisan America250 initiative is creating the largest synchronized Fourth of July celebration in U.S. history.

Land concluded that anyone who embraces the rule of law and constitutional ideals can become an American, regardless of ethnic origin, a principle exemplified by millions of naturalized citizens throughout the nation's history.

The Crusader's Opinion

America was built on a covenant with God. Benjamin Franklin knew it. The Founders knew it. And every naturalization ceremony where immigrants from every corner of the earth raise their right hand and swear allegiance to the Constitution proves it still. This is the miracle of America: you do not have to be born here to belong here. You have to believe in what this nation stands for. Liberty under God. Justice under law. The moment we stop teaching our children these truths in our schools and our churches, we lose not just a nation, but a light to the world. The 250th anniversary is not just a celebration. It is a call to remember who we are and Whose we are.

Take Action

• Visit America250.org to find local semiquincentennial events in your community and participate in the largest Fourth of July celebration in U.S. history.
• Read the Declaration of Independence and Constitution with your family this week. Free high resolution copies are available at the National Archives.
• Contact your local school board to advocate for stronger civics and constitutional education in your children's curriculum.
• Support The Shepherd's Shield to help defend and uplift persecuted Christians around the world who dream of the freedoms Americans enjoy.
• Share this article with fellow believers and start a conversation at your church about what American identity means from a Christian perspective.