As the United States prepares to commemorate its semiquincentennial in 2026, a new national survey by the Cato Institute has revealed a striking contradiction. While nearly half of Americans do not know what the anniversary commemorates, an overwhelming majority still feel proud to be American and continue to adhere to the nation’s founding ideals.

According to the survey, conducted by the libertarian-leaning Cato Institute in partnership with Morning Consult among 2,253 adults nationwide, 46% of Americans are unaware that the U.S. 250th anniversary marks the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.

Only 53% correctly identified the historical event.

Despite this lack of civic knowledge, Americans still express a deep affection for their country.

The poll results show that 86% of respondents feel grateful to be American, and 79% say they are proud to be American.

More than 76% of respondents hold a positive view of the nation’s founding, and 70% believe the principles established by the Founding Fathers remain valid today.

The study’s findings suggest that while many Americans may struggle with basic historical facts, they still maintain a strong sense of identification with the country’s constitutional system and the ideal of liberty.

Support for the Constitution also remains broad.

Nearly 86% said the Constitution is important for protecting the rights and freedoms of Americans, and 82% stated they believe the Constitution has been essential to America's prosperity.

At the same time, many Americans worry that the country is drifting away from those ideals.

The survey found that 57% of respondents believe the U.S. has strayed from its founding ideals, and 56% fear that America could lose its freedom within the next 50 years.

Americans overwhelmingly cited corruption, abuse of power, and politicians ignoring constitutional limits as the greatest threats facing the republic.

A majority continues to favor constitutional constraints on government; 58% said no political party should have too much power, and 72% stated that the President must follow Supreme Court rulings even if they disagree with them.

One of the most significant findings of this survey is that, despite today’s political polarization, there remains bipartisan support for America’s founding ideals.

Over 81% of Democrats and 86% of Republicans hold a positive view of the spirit of America's founding, while 72% of Democrats and 83% of Republicans believe the founding principles remain valid today.

However, Republicans expressed stronger support, with a higher percentage describing themselves as "very favorable" toward the founding ideals and expressing more confidence that these principles remain applicable today.

The survey also revealed notable philosophical differences between Democrats and Republicans on several key issues:

Republicans (76%) are far more likely than Democrats (53%) to say that America is still the "land of opportunity."

Republican supporters are more inclined to base their personal identity on family, country, and religion, whereas Democratic supporters place more importance on race and gender alongside their national identity.

Democrats (46%) are more likely than Republicans (36%) to believe the claim from the 1619 Project that maintaining slavery was a primary cause of the American Revolution.

Democrats (51%) are more supportive than Republicans (37%) of increasing the number of Supreme Court justices from nine to 13.

Democrats (61%) are far more likely than Republicans to support a candidate who identifies as a "democratic socialist."

Republicans are much more optimistic about America's future, with 54% stating that America's best days are ahead, while only 44% of Democrats believe America's best days are behind it.

The generational divide was also very pronounced.

Nearly 61% of Gen Z respondents were unaware of what the 250th anniversary commemorates, and younger Americans were significantly less likely than older generations to view the Founding Fathers as brave leaders or to believe they upheld America’s founding ideals.

The survey showed growing support for socialism among young Americans. More than half of Gen Z respondents expressed favorable views of socialism, and nearly 40% held a favorable position on communism—figures significantly higher than those of previous generations.

Americans reached a surprising level of consensus on what future generations should learn through the nation’s 250th anniversary.

What respondents found most important for their children to understand is that liberty is precious and must be protected, that patriotism means loyalty to America’s principles rather than to a specific party or politician, and that American history contains both remarkable achievements and grave injustices.

Ultimately, this survey portrays a nation that, despite political division and a decline in civic knowledge, still harbors deep patriotism.

While many Americans may not fully grasp the historical significance of the upcoming 250th anniversary, the majority still cherish the Constitution, believe in the ongoing relevance of America’s founding ideals, and remain optimistic that these ideals are worth preserving for the next 250 years.

U.S. NNP = Representative Editor Hong Sung-goo / Special Correspondent NNP info@newsandpost.com