(AURN News) — America celebrates the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence on Saturday, July 4, but a new Reuters/Ipsos poll suggests many Americans are not in the mood to celebrate.
One in five Americans say they plan to skip Independence Day altogether, including 25% of Democrats and 8% of Republicans. Even more striking, 38% of those surveyed do not believe the United States will still exist as one country 250 years from now.
The poll points to deep political divisions, with many Americans saying the nation’s 250th anniversary has become wrapped up in partisan politics instead of national unity.
Opinions on how to mark the anniversary vary sharply along party lines, and many respondents say they are worried about the nation’s direction.
Historians note America has celebrated major anniversaries during periods of political turmoil before. As fireworks light the sky this Fourth of July, one question hangs over America’s celebration: Can the country still come together?
Click play to listen to the report from AURN White House Correspondent Ebony McMorris. For more news, follow @E_N_McMorris & @aurnonline.
