The Flag Was Still There

“A hopeful reminder, during America’s 250th year, that although our history has been marked by argument and even discord, the occasion to look to the nation’s founding principles presents another opportunity to renew their pursuit.”

–Wall Street Journal“A richly detailed, thought-provoking celebration of American independence.”–Kirkus“As the nation approaches the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, it’s important to learn from how we celebrated such jubilee years in the past. David McKean and M. Todd Bennett provide an engaging and clear-eyed account of past celebrations as Americans once again take stock of their democracy in 2026.”–Walter Isaacson, New York Times bestselling author of The Greatest Sentence Ever Written“David McKean and M. Todd Bennett’s The Flag Was Still There is a brilliantly written and illuminating, deep-dive historical investigation into how Americans have celebrated Independence Day, at fifty-year intervals, since 1776. Based on a seamless combination of energetic research and crisp set-piece anecdotes, this must-read book is the perfect opening salvo in anticipation of our July 4, 2026 semiquincentennial. Highly recommended!”–Douglas Brinkley, New York Times bestselling author of Silent Spring Revolution“The complexity of American history–not the quick soundbite stuff but the nation’s rich, interwoven history–is laid out beautifully in The Flag Was Still There. For those who really care about what the next 250 years could be, knowing what it has been is imperative and makes The Flag Was Still There essential reading.”–Carol Anderson, New York Times bestselling author of White Rage“There’s been a battle over the United States’ soul since the Declaration of Independence brought the country into being 250 years ago: are we another blood-and-soil ethnostate, or are we a people defined by their commitment to that founding document’s ideals? Via the waypoints of our five jubilee anniversaries, McKean and Bennett vividly trace this heroic, heartbreaking struggle to make the American Promise a reality.”–Colin Woodard, author of Nations Apart

David McKean is the former US ambassador to Luxembourg and was director of policy planning in the Department of State. The author or coauthor of six previous books, he divides his time between Washington, DC, New Hampshire, and North Carolina.

M. Todd Bennett is a professor of history at East Carolina University. He was formerly a historian at the US Department of State. The author of two previous books, he lives in Washington, DC.