As the US marks its 250th birthday, it operates an empire in all but name

As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, the article suggests the nation operates as an empire, a concept many Americans may not recognize. At the turn of the 20th century, the country embarked on a path of empire, exemplified by the Philippines becoming an American colony in 1898. This expansion was opposed by prominent intellectuals like William James, Andrew Carnegie, and Mark Twain, who formed the American Anti-Imperialist League. The League argued that subjugating people constituted "criminal aggression" and betrayed the nation's founding principles. Despite their efforts to resist colonialism and preserve American values, their opposition ultimately failed to prevent the U.S. from adopting imperial policies.

As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence this weekend, Donald Trump is reportedly making the celebration about himself. In a podcast discussion, Jonathan Freedland spoke with Yoni Appelbaum of The Atlantic about the reasons behind a perceived decline in American patriotism. The article states that Trump's actions are overshadowing the national anniversary. The discussion explores the sentiment of decreased patriotism among Americans as the significant milestone nears.