250 Reasons to Thank America: A Birthday Tribute to Gratitude

By Gil Troy. Jewish Journal, 2026

Given that America is celebrating its 250th birthday, Gil Troy and David Suissa offer a whine-free zone: 250 of their favorite reasons to be thankful for America, from the Declaration of Independence in 1776 to 2026. Nothing but gratitude, sometimes hard-earned, always well-deserved.

By Gil Troy and David Suissa. The 250 reasons are organized in five periods: 1776–1826, Laying the Foundations; 1827–1876, Making this New Republic Truly Democratic – and Free; 1877–1926, Giving Birth to Modernity; 1927–1976, Inventing the First Mass Middle Class Society; and 1977–2026.