Society seems to have reached a season when everything is contentious. Admittedly, these flashpoints aren’t generally open warfare, like the battle taking place 160 years ago this last week in little Gettysburg, then only 2,400 residents.
By studying history, specifically historic battles, we might conclude that society has ALWAYS engaged in what I’ll euphemistically call “clashes”. History is among my longstanding interests, reflected in books I read, sites I visit (both physical locations and online), and columns I write. A greater understanding of history brings insights, context, and perspective to most situations, sometimes simply “how could this have happened?” and in other cases, “this too shall pass”.
[This last phrase merits a deeper dive; google it if you’re interested. Quoting Lincoln: “An Eastern monarch once charged wise men to invent him a sentence… true and appropriate in all times and situations. They presented him: ‘And this, too, shall pass away.’ How much it expresses! How chastening in the hour of pride! How consoling in the depths of affliction!”]
Riding a patriotic July 4th crest, I note our country will celebrate its 250th birthday in three years. Unless you’ve already stumbled upon it, you’ll probably never guess what a 250th birthday is called. Give up? A semiquincentennial… a mouthful, for sure, or, as a New York Times writer said, a “tongue-twisting word, which has left more than a few people puzzling over not just what a semiquincentennial is, but how the heck you say it.”
This Times article notes at least 33 states have created semiquincentennial commissions. Apparently, Iowa isn’t among them. I phoned the Governor’s office asking about such a group. A staff person’s answer: “There’s nothing I’m aware of,” before routing me to the State Historical Society. There, Jeff, the Public Information Officer, responded similarly, observing he didn’t always know about initiatives until it’s time to “go public”. My conclusion: There’s no significant statewide effort underway.
Into this void strides a certain presidential candidate seeking to regain a former office. Six weeks before the 2020 Election Day, the then-President signed an executive order establishing the “1776 Commission to promote patriotic education” and creating a “pro-American curriculum that celebrates the truth about our nation’s great history.” Gosh, that wouldn’t be at all controversial, would it?
Two observations: First, while there are voluntary national guidelines for history education, the U.S. has no federally mandated curriculum for history. Second, the former President has rarely demonstrated familiarity with or interest in history, its study, or its applications. Of course, now that he’s a former President, he might have more time to delve into history and develop a more historical perspective.
In late May, the former President returned to the history topic. In a video, he called for the country to begin “preparing for the most spectacular birthday party. My hope is that the amazing people of Iowa will work with my administration to open up the legendary Iowa State Fairgrounds to host the great American state fair and welcome millions and millions of visitors from around the world to the heartland of America for this special one-time festival. … Together, we will build it, and they will come.” Pandering? Perhaps.
Please note, this Iowa concept is still in … well, the conceptual stage. According to a Des Moines Register May 31 story, “Logistical details on Trump's proposal for a year-long fairgrounds celebration, which would almost certainly be expensive and complex, are sparse.” And, from the marketing director for the Iowa State Fair, “We know the world's greatest state fair is in Iowa, but no formal request or inquiry has been made at this time.”
Evidently, Iowa has not yet launched -- perhaps not even envisioned -- our state’s semiquincentennial salute. Small consolation: the national effort, known as America250, has also been slow out of the blocks. Come on, Iowa, let’s get going! When the only significant idea is a former President’s concept, we need to get in gear.
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I’m part of the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative and honored be among the many talented writers and artists on this list.