Zeiger is president of the Jack Miller Center, an educational venture to advance the history, documents and ideals we hold in common as Americans.

With the Fourth of July upon us, we are nearly two years out from the 250th anniversary of American independence. If it’s anything like the Bicentennial in 1976, it will be a time of patriotic celebration and a focal point for shared commitments to our country and our communities.

The Bicentennial saw increased investment in museums, parks and public plazas, and it inspired a new wave of interest in American history. These would be welcome developments in 2026 as well. But above all, in this time of political strife when trust in our institutions and one another is running low, we need a shared cause — a national movement that is worthy of the occasion.