I don’t know if I see that as completely accurate, since there were so many other events before and after that had enormous implications for the genesis of the country we know now as the United States of America.

The Boston Tea Party in 1773 to the First Continental Congress in 1774 and Lexington and Concord and the Battle of Bunker Hill in 1775 all played a role in laying the groundwork for the Declaration of Independence.

After the actual signing of the declaration on July 4, there were momentous moments like the victory at Yorktown in 1781, the signing of the Treaty of Paris in 1783, and the adoption of the Constitution in 1787. You could make the argument that the national identity of the United States didn’t truly occur until after the Civil War in the 1860s.

Historians could certainly add dozens of other events and decisions that shaped our country to my short list, but July 4 is as good a date as any in which to celebrate national “birthday.”

A milestone year like 250 provides a reason to throw a bigger party than just a regular Independence Day, which we’ve seen in so many forms already in 2026 and will only increase in the coming weeks.

I think, however, that it is even more important to take this time to reflect on who we are as a nation — and what we want to be.

On the one hand, America has become an international superpower, is generally prosperous and innovative, and has played a significant part in English becoming the most spoken language in the world.

On the other, it is a country that faces strong differences in views on what is important and how difficult issues should be addressed, one that still has too much violence and fear, and one that definitely doesn’t have all the answers to the challenges of the future.

Just like with every country, I think there are plenty of good things and bad things to look at when we evaluate our nation.

But the true strength and potential of a country like the USA is not in its government or economics, at least not directly.

It’s in its people, like you and me.

I’ve had the change to visit and meet individuals from all 50 states. In most I’ve spent a decent amount of time visiting points of interest and enjoying local cuisine (although there are a few that I’ve just visited briefly).

I’ve found that while views, dialects and cultures may differ, I’ve found friendly and inspiring people in every corner of this land of ours. None have been perfect people, of course, but they have been worth getting to know and appreciate.

My most in-depth experience is here in Utah, where I’ve been a resident for most of my life. I’ve made countless friends and acquaintances with amazing folks, while also sometimes seeing the worst sides of people.

But something I value is how much Utahns care about others and their country.

I want to hear and share what you think about America as we reach this milestone at 250 years since it declared its independence.

How are we doing?

What do you like most?

What worries you most?

What needs to change?

This is my invitation to you to take a few minutes and write down what being a citizen of the USA right now means to you, then submit it.

Please send in your thoughts. A rough guideline would be to keep them to around 500 words but they could be longer or shorter, depending on how much you have to say.

I plan to then take the submissions and publish them as part of our 250th celebration coverage in the coming weeks.

Because I think at this time that a country of the people, by the people and for the people should focus on the people.

And the people of Utah Valley should be heard.

Please send your submissions to jlloyd@heraldextra.com or feel free to mail them in to the Daily Herald, if that would be easier.

I look forward to hearing what you have to say about this country of ours.

Jared Lloyd is the managing editor of the Daily Herald and can be reached at jlloyd@heraldextra.com.