You’re right to feel shaken and even furious about what’s happening; that’s a sane response to a country this off‑course. First we need to feel it instead of bottling it up. Then we name what, exactly, is wrong—who’s doing what, to whom. From there we aim our energy at things we can actually influence, and finally we act: we vote, we organize, we correct lies, and we keep showing up.
I nodded along with almost every sentence, every sentiment. I will be at the celebration today downtown, sweating through the heat for a couple of hours, at the Stafford Democratic Committee's tent. Stop by, one and all, stop by and learn about what we are doing, and cool off with one of the free water bottles we'll have (while supplies last!). Fxburg & Spotsy Dems will also have tents, I believe, and we all work collaboratively to support the same goals.
How are you celebrating America’s 250th birthday this year? While we celebrate the Semiquincentennial, let’s hop back in time. A century ago, the nation was flocking to Philadelphia for the Sesqui-Centennial International Exposition. What did a massive 1926 birthday bash look like? We dug into our archives to find out.
All Roads Lead to Philadelphia (Most of Them Paved!) Nothing puts the last century into perspective quite like a 1926 road map. This clipping, mapping out the best driving routes to attend Sesqui, proudly boasted that a whopping 75% of the roads to the Expo were paved!
A Giant Liberty Bell: Upon arriving, visitors were greeted by a jaw-dropping 80-foot-tall replica of the Liberty Bell spanning Broad Street. Organizers built this tech marvel illuminated by 26,000 lightbulbs that lit up the Philly night sky. The real Liberty Bell also played a part in the Sesqui celebration. On January 1, 1926, the bell was rung to usher in a year of celebration. The sound was carried across the country via radio transmission.
Liberty Bell Inspired Hat – Passaic Daily News: June 12, 1926
Flapper Era Patriotic Fashion: If you think you’ve seen a lot of Fourth of July merchandise, patriotic fashion was all the rage in 1926. Check out this Liberty Bell-inspired hat!
Treasure Island in Philly: Because the Sesqui was officially a World’s Fair, participants from around the globe participated. Treasure Island was a magical children’s amusement area built by the British that quickly became a crowd favorite. It featured a pirate’s cave, a miniature train winding through a replica of the Canadian Rockies, and enough wonder to delight the young and the young at heart.
The Scandalous Sunday Opening: The Expo ran for six months (May 31 – November 30), but it wasn’t all smooth sailing. When July 4th fell on a Sunday, a massive controversy erupted over religious Sabbath laws. Despite threats of lawsuits and fines for workers, organizers said the show must go on – and they opened anyway.
Total Washouts: Mother nature wasn’t exactly a patriot in 1926. Sesqui was plagued by torrential downpours and fierce storms that flooded exhibits, sending patrons scrambling for cover.
A Living Link to the Past: In a poignant twist of history, the last surviving son of a Revolutionary War soldier passed away during the final month of the Expo. Lewis P. Phillips died in November 1926 at age 95. His father, John Phillips, had fought for America’s independence and was 72 years old when Lewis was born, creating a stunning direct two-generation bridge from 1776 to 1926.
Surely the Amerikka that Dr, Singh finds so wanting did not appear overnight or within the last two years i.e. the Trump presidency. Where was this letter in 2023? I am amazed at the number of people who, like him, have fled countries like India then come to the US and find nothing good to say. He seems to be channeling Seattle Socialist Kshama Sawant. Is a run for political office in his future? At least in his letter his followed the Party line about the War in Iran was calling it a "War of Choice." Maybe we should let those messianic fanatics have their bomb. Somehow, I think if a Mamdani was elected president, Dr. Singh and his fellow travelers would suddenly find the U.S. to be a "normal" country again.
You’re right to feel shaken and even furious about what’s happening; that’s a sane response to a country this off‑course. First we need to feel it instead of bottling it up. Then we name what, exactly, is wrong—who’s doing what, to whom. From there we aim our energy at things we can actually influence, and finally we act: we vote, we organize, we correct lies, and we keep showing up.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsGFwBsrF7c
I think I just read satire.
I nodded along with almost every sentence, every sentiment. I will be at the celebration today downtown, sweating through the heat for a couple of hours, at the Stafford Democratic Committee's tent. Stop by, one and all, stop by and learn about what we are doing, and cool off with one of the free water bottles we'll have (while supplies last!). Fxburg & Spotsy Dems will also have tents, I believe, and we all work collaboratively to support the same goals.
Meanwhile, "A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away..."
Headlines in History
1926: A Look Back at America’s 150th Birthday Celebration
June 30, 2026 Jenny Ashcraft (newspapers.com)
How are you celebrating America’s 250th birthday this year? While we celebrate the Semiquincentennial, let’s hop back in time. A century ago, the nation was flocking to Philadelphia for the Sesqui-Centennial International Exposition. What did a massive 1926 birthday bash look like? We dug into our archives to find out.
All Roads Lead to Philadelphia (Most of Them Paved!) Nothing puts the last century into perspective quite like a 1926 road map. This clipping, mapping out the best driving routes to attend Sesqui, proudly boasted that a whopping 75% of the roads to the Expo were paved!
https://img.newspapers.com/img/img?user=10766&id=779218596&clippingId=199698015&width=820&height=501&crop=512_267_3120_1909&rotation=0
A Giant Liberty Bell: Upon arriving, visitors were greeted by a jaw-dropping 80-foot-tall replica of the Liberty Bell spanning Broad Street. Organizers built this tech marvel illuminated by 26,000 lightbulbs that lit up the Philly night sky. The real Liberty Bell also played a part in the Sesqui celebration. On January 1, 1926, the bell was rung to usher in a year of celebration. The sound was carried across the country via radio transmission.
https://blog.newspapers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot-2026-06-29-at-8.11.19-AM-1536x1415.png
Shamokin News-Dispatch: October 14, 1926
Liberty Bell Inspired Hat – Passaic Daily News: June 12, 1926
Flapper Era Patriotic Fashion: If you think you’ve seen a lot of Fourth of July merchandise, patriotic fashion was all the rage in 1926. Check out this Liberty Bell-inspired hat!
https://blog.newspapers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot-2026-06-29-at-8.08.18-AM.png
Treasure Island in Philly: Because the Sesqui was officially a World’s Fair, participants from around the globe participated. Treasure Island was a magical children’s amusement area built by the British that quickly became a crowd favorite. It featured a pirate’s cave, a miniature train winding through a replica of the Canadian Rockies, and enough wonder to delight the young and the young at heart.
The Scandalous Sunday Opening: The Expo ran for six months (May 31 – November 30), but it wasn’t all smooth sailing. When July 4th fell on a Sunday, a massive controversy erupted over religious Sabbath laws. Despite threats of lawsuits and fines for workers, organizers said the show must go on – and they opened anyway.
Total Washouts: Mother nature wasn’t exactly a patriot in 1926. Sesqui was plagued by torrential downpours and fierce storms that flooded exhibits, sending patrons scrambling for cover.
A Living Link to the Past: In a poignant twist of history, the last surviving son of a Revolutionary War soldier passed away during the final month of the Expo. Lewis P. Phillips died in November 1926 at age 95. His father, John Phillips, had fought for America’s independence and was 72 years old when Lewis was born, creating a stunning direct two-generation bridge from 1776 to 1926.
https://blog.newspapers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot-2026-06-29-at-8.15.25-AM.png
L.P. Phillips, thought to be the last surviving son of a Revolutionary War soldier – Los Angeles Evening Post-Record: October 10, 1910
Surely the Amerikka that Dr, Singh finds so wanting did not appear overnight or within the last two years i.e. the Trump presidency. Where was this letter in 2023? I am amazed at the number of people who, like him, have fled countries like India then come to the US and find nothing good to say. He seems to be channeling Seattle Socialist Kshama Sawant. Is a run for political office in his future? At least in his letter his followed the Party line about the War in Iran was calling it a "War of Choice." Maybe we should let those messianic fanatics have their bomb. Somehow, I think if a Mamdani was elected president, Dr. Singh and his fellow travelers would suddenly find the U.S. to be a "normal" country again.