Ronald Reagan Knew July 4 Isn't About Spectacle, It's About Remembrance, Rededication to Liberty and Nation's Strengths
This Independence Day arrives at a time when America seems caught between deep discontent and quiet longing.
The fireworks will still light the skies, but for many Americans, the inner spark of national pride feels dimmed.
A new Gallup poll released this past week confirms what many already sense: national pride is in decline. Just 36% of Democrats and 53% of independents now say they’re "extremely" or "very" proud to be American. Among Generation Z, it’s even lower.
And while Republicans remain largely proud, overall numbers are falling across the board.
But before we rush to assign blame, perhaps we should ask: What exactly does it mean to be proud of America?
President Ronald Reagan answered that question beautifully in 1986, during his Independence Day address from the deck of the USS John F. Kennedy.
It was the centennial of the Statue of Liberty, and as the fireworks waited quietly in the wings, Reagan reminded the nation that this holiday wasn’t just about spectacle.
It was about remembrance — and recommitment.
He spoke of courage and sacrifice, and of the Founders who risked everything to declare independence, and of the generations who labored, fought, and prayed to keep that freedom alive.
And our nation's 40th president told the story of two of those Founders — Adams and Jefferson — who, despite bitter political differences, reconciled late in life through letters that spoke of gardening, grief, and the cause they once shared.
Their last gift to us, Reagan said, was not just the Declaration of Independence, but their final act of unity — both dying on the very same day, July 4th, exactly 50 years after they declared liberty for all.
Reagan’s point was clear then. It is even clearer now: The true strength of America lies in our ability to stand together, even when we differ.
And let’s be honest — something feels frayed in 2025.
Trust in our institutions is at historic lows.
The divide between rural and urban America is growing. Too often, the loudest voices are the most divisive.
And too rarely do we stop to ask whether we are doing our part to uphold the promise of the country we inherited — with all its flaws, its triumphs, and its enduring aspirations
The answer isn’t found in slogans.
It’s found in our own lives.
Pride in country doesn’t require perfection.
It requires participation.
It shows up in how we treat our neighbors, how we respect the laws that safeguard community life, and how we teach our children that freedom is never free — and never detached from responsibility.
It also shows up in what we choose not to do — when we resist the temptation to let frustration become indifference, or to weaponize our patriotism against fellow citizens.
Reagan was laid to rest 21 years ago this past June 11.
But his faith in America — and in Americans — still speaks to this moment. He didn’t see our nation as fragile, but as unfinished.
A country whose greatness rested not in its power, but in its principles — and in people willing to keep rowing, side by side, through whatever storm lies ahead.
This Fourth of July, let’s honor that spirit.
Let’s remember that pride isn’t something we feel automatically.
It’s something we earn — as individuals and as a people.
And let’s remember that liberty, like love, only endures when it’s tended with care.
Dennis C. Revell is a noted political strategist and public affairs consultant. He is the son-in-law of the late President Ronald Reagan, witnessing dramatic episodes and quiet moments of Reagan’s life, both during and after the White House years. These experiences gave him unique insights into the president’s leadership and personal perspectives. Read More Dennis Revell – Here.