On America’s 50th birthday, two founding fathers died, an event marked by toasts and parades across the nation. Over the years, celebrations of the country’s milestone anniversaries have grown more extravagant and, at times, more controversial. These commemorations have ranged from traditional ceremonies to large-scale events such as world fairs and the World Cup.

This historical perspective highlights how the nation’s approach to marking significant birthdays has evolved, reflecting broader social and cultural changes.

Source: NPR News, Rachel Treisman, How America has celebrated milestone birthdays, from world fairs to the World Cup

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