The Madness of Kings – A Semi-Quincentennial

Sue Coe, Backpacks, 2026. Courtesy the artist.

The real anniversary

On July 4, 2026, the U.S. will celebrate its 250th birthday. That’s the date in 1776, when leaders of the 13 original colonies signed a Declaration of Independence, announcing their intention to free themselves from British rule and establish a new nation. The document remains inspiring, especially its second paragraph which begins:

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal...