Celebrating the Nation: Reinforcement of Nationalist Sentiments through theCommemoration of America's Historic Past

             The chapter, Celebrating the Nation, 1961-1976, discusses the
             significance of the United States National Celebration of the Bicentennial,
             an event that commemorates the country's victory over foreign rule during
             the historic events of the American Revolution and Civil War. Celebrating
             these historic events is, according to the article, a direct manifestation
             of the country, particularly the government's, efforts to perpetuate the
             spirit of nationalism among American citizens and provide these events with
             a significant meaning for the society. The process of celebrating these
             historic events, is done so "on behalf of the nation; it was the nation,
             with its past, present, and future themes and symbols, that merited loyalty
             and respect" (228). Nation, in this context, represents the whole American
             nation, and by centering the government's efforts in celebrating the
             victory of the American nation in the American Revolution and Civil War,
             Americans are indirectly partaking in the past's victory, solidly
             establishing the American nation's unity in the past, present, and future
             generations.
             Indeed, the interrelatedness of the past, present, and future
             generations of the American nation is addressed in this analysis. National
             celebrations of the country's past imply the direct role that history plays
             in influencing the course of history of the country in its current state.
             Making the nation realize about the extraordinary feats that the nation had
             expended for their country brings about a sense of solidarity and
             nationalismâ€"traits that bring about unity. Moreover, with unity comes a
             sense of accountability of each individual for others, creating a new kind
             of society in the US: a collective nation and society, which is remarkable
             since Western societies are generally perceived as individualistic in
             nature. Reinforcement of unity and collectivism as an American nation is
             explicitly i...

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Celebrating the Nation: Reinforcement of Nationalist Sentiments through theCommemoration of America's Historic Past. (2000, January 01). In MegaEssays.com. Retrieved 21:03, November 14, 2024, from https://www.megaessays.com/viewpaper/200860.html