Next year, the United States of America will celebrate 250 years of independence. President Donald Trump, on Wednesday, proclaimed that a good time will be had by all.

Because, America.

Section 1.  Purpose.  It is the policy of the United States, and a purpose of this order, to provide a grand celebration worthy of the momentous occasion of the 250th anniversary of American Independence on July 4, 2026.  It is also the purpose of this order to take other actions to honor the history of our great Nation.

Sec. 2.  Establishing the White House Task Force on Celebrating America’s 250th Birthday. (a)  There is hereby established the White House Task Force on Celebrating America’s 250th Birthday (Task Force 250).
(b)  The President shall be the Chair of Task Force 250 and the Vice President will serve as Vice Chair.  The Chair shall appoint an Executive Director, who shall administer and execute the day-to-day operations of Task Force 250, and who shall report through the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy.  The Chair, the Vice Chair, or a member of Task Force 250 designated by the Chair, shall convene regular meetings of Task Force 250, determine its agenda, and direct its work, consistent with this order.  The Executive Director and the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy shall assist in the performance of these duties.  The Chair may designate any member of the Task Force to preside over meetings of the Task Force.

I’m not sure we need a federal task force to make sure we have a good time, but what the hell, it’s a uniquely American holiday, so I suppose there’s a role for the White House to play in the whole thing.

Being a fellow of a certain age, I remember the bicentennial in 1976 very well. My cousin and I were camping up on the Old Man’s place in Allamakee County, up in the higher of his two big meadows atop the hill. My brother had brought in some fireworks without telling us, but as it happened, we had a great vantage point from on top of the hill, and when my brother started launching stuff from his place next to my folk’s house down in the Bear Creek valley, my cousin and I watched and shouted encouragements.

Turns out the Girl Scout camp that bordered my folks’ place on the south heard us, and we found out later that some of them snuck through the woods to watch the fireworks – and some of the adult counselors in the camp were a bit put off by my cousin’s and my 15-year-old language.

They got over it.

250 years is a long time for a nation to survive.  And, I have to say, from the president’s proclamation, I like this idea:

Task Force 250 shall coordinate with the executive departments and agencies (agencies) to plan, organize, and execute an extraordinary celebration of the 250th Anniversary of American Independence and shall coordinate agencies’ communications with the United States Semiquincentennial Commission. In addition, the Executive Director may seek information or advice from such other agencies as Task Force 250 shall direct.

An “extraordinary celebration.” I like the sound of that. But I’ll probably observe that 4th of July in a typical Alaskan fashion, watching cars get launched off a cliff.