In a 2017 speech, Nick Mueller, president and CEO of The National World War II Museum in New Orleans, La., defines the American Spirit as “the bright connecting thread in the fabric of our Democracy.

 “This spirit is sometimes difficult to define or to quantify, but it holds great power—and you know it when you see it.

 “America’s spirit, its defense of freedom in many areas—in speech, in choice of religion, in politics and in business—has made it a beacon for people around the world.”

 The American Spirit lives on in our nation, a testament to the men and women who created our unique form of government and those who have fought to defend it through the years. Many have given their lives to protect the rights and freedoms foundational to our republic.

 David McCullough, historian, speaker and author, writes in his book of The American Spirit: Who We Are and What We Stand For (Simon & Schuster, 2017): “Many a time I have gone off on a speaking date feeling a bit down about the state of things and returned with my outlook greatly restored, having seen, again and again, long-standing American values still firmly in place, good people, involved in joint efforts to accomplish changes for the better, the American spirit still at work.” 

Send us your photos of the ways you celebrate the American Spirit. We would love to see them! Email photos to [email protected] or post them on our Facebook page.