TIME magazine is reporting that Americans are celebrating the 250th anniversary of the nation's founding. Robert Hormats of Yale writes in TIME's Weekend Essay that immigration was the primary ingredient for the United States' power, enabling it to become a global political, economic, and technological leader.
It said its special semi-quincentennial issue aims to capture this historic moment by featuring 250 influential voices sharing what represents the essence of American life today. Oprah Winfrey selected the book "Caste" by Isabel Wilkerson, Ron Howard chose "All the President’s Men," and Apple's Tim Cook picked the iPhone.
Hormats' essay also addresses a recurring debate among international observers and some Americans regarding America's potential decline amid China's rise. This competition was evident during President Donald Trump's May State Visit to Beijing, where China's infrastructure and technological advancements, including human-like robots, electric vehicles, solar panels, and widespread AI use, were widely reported. Hormats suggests this narrative may be overstated, noting that history shows multiple countries can thrive simultaneously.
TIME also explains that the U.S. 250th birthday features two rival celebrations. One is led by President Trump in Washington, while the other is hosted by Queen Latifah in Los Angeles. It said these events are tonally and geographically distinct, organized by separate federally-aligned groups that are largely not acknowledging each other.