As the United States prepares to mark 250 years since the Declaration of Independence, new polling shows a country ready to celebrate but not fully united in how it feels.
About 4 in 10 U.S. adults say they feel proud about the nation’s 250th anniversary, according to a new AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll. Roughly 3 in 10 say they feel excited.
The milestone falls on July 4, 2026. America250, the official nonpartisan effort created for the anniversary, says the date is meant to help Americans reflect on the past and look toward the future.
The poll found sharp political and age divides. About 7 in 10 Republicans say pride describes their feelings about the anniversary.
That compares with about 3 in 10 independents and roughly 2 in 10 Democrats, according to The Associated Press.
Older Americans are also more likely to feel proud. About 6 in 10 adults age 60 and older say pride describes how they feel about the anniversary.
The same polling shows many Americans do not feel simple joy about the celebration. More Democrats and young adults say they feel conflicted or indifferent.
About 4 in 10 Democrats say “conflicted” describes their feelings extremely or very well. Roughly 3 in 10 adults under 30 say the same.
Another 3 in 10 Democrats and adults under 30 say they feel indifferent. The results show that the anniversary is landing at a time when many Americans are thinking about politics, rights, and the country’s direction.
Gallup polling adds another layer to the national mood. About 7 in 10 U.S. adults say America has succeeded a great deal or a fair amount in reaching its founding ideals.
But another Gallup survey found that about 8 in 10 Americans believe the signers of the Declaration of Independence would be disappointed with how the country has turned out.
Only about 2 in 10 say the signers would be pleased. In 1999, 55 percent said the signers would be disappointed and 44 percent said they would be pleased.
The anniversary will bring public events across the country. America250 lists block parties, volunteer efforts, concerts, and local gatherings on its official website.
Still, many Americans plan to celebrate in private ways. A Gallup-With Honor poll found that 44 percent of U.S. adults plan to mark the anniversary by spending time with friends or family.
About 3 in 10 plan to watch coverage of America 250 events on television or social media. About 2 in 10 plan to attend a neighborhood or community event, and about 1 in 10 plan to attend an official America 250 event.
The AP-NORC poll surveyed 2,596 adults from April 16 to April 20, 2026. Its margin of sampling error was plus or minus 2.6 percentage points.
The Gallup-With Honor poll surveyed 3,199 adults from May 12 to May 22, 2026. A separate Gallup poll surveyed 1,001 adults from May 1 to May 17, 2026.
Together, the polls show an anniversary filled with pride, tradition, and unease. For many Americans, the country’s 250th birthday is not just a celebration. It is also a moment to ask what the nation has become and what it should become next.