The Flag Was Still There: A History of the American Experiment in Five Anniversaries

by David McKean, M. Todd Bennett

A clear-eyed yet hopeful history of the United States, revisiting the state of the union every fifty years since America’s birth.

“Brilliantly written and illuminating.” —Douglas Brinkley, New York Times bestselling author of Silent Spring Revolution

America is the rare country that was founded on an idea, and it was a truly radical idea for its the belief that the people of a country could govern themselves.

The Flag Was Still There offers a unique new narrative of the American Experiment. By focusing on five remarkable years marked by both progress and backlash—1776, 1826, 1876, 1926, and 1976—and with an eye to America’s 250th birthday, David McKean and M. Todd Bennett explore how the United States has sustained its founding idea. The centennial saw a country still struggling to confront the Civil War’s legacy, culminating in the birth of the Jim Crow era. In 1926, virulent nativism was at a peak, and a reascendant Ku Klux Klan marched on Washington. The bicentennial was marked by economic turmoil, post-Watergate political malaise, and the still-fresh wounds of the Vietnam War. 

America has yet to fully realize its founding principles. But as The Flag Was Still There reminds us, Americans have always striven to defend, renew, and extend the nation’s promise even in the face of staunch resistance—a determination that continues to this day.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

320 pages, Hardcover

Published May 12, 2026

About the author

David McKean is the former US Ambassador to Luxembourg, and former director of Policy Planning for the US Department of State. He is currently a Senior Fellow at The German Marshall Fund of the United States in Washington, D.C.

Reviews

[Michael McEwen · Rating 4 out of 5]

History books are often focused on specific periods, so I enjoy it when the scope is expanded to give a broader view. By checking in with America every 50th 4th of July the authors give us that long view perspective. It was interesting to read about the various jubilee celebrations and the affairs of the time. The focus though is on the promise of the Declaration of Independence and our progress towards that goal. Overall I found the book to be highly informative and readable (although I have to admit my interest flagged some in the final chapter concerning the modern era; it seems like living through it is more than sufficient exposure).

[Paul Lunger · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the year of America's semiquincentennial, David McKean & M Todd Bemmett's "The Flag Was Still There: A History of the American Experiment in Five Anniversaries" is the perfect book to read as they take us on a journey from 1776 to 2026 with stops at every 50th anniversary from the founding to the present day. What's interesting to note and reflect on is just how much this country has changed in its existence from the struggles of its founding to the various crises it has faced since along with the challenges of figuring out how to celebrate each one of these milestones. It's also interesting to see as well just how important these milestones are as well across the various political landscapes. As a reader I also appreciated the look at where we are in 2026 which makes a nice touch to this book.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn't sure what to expect but I really enjoyed this book. it was nice to be reminded of some things I already knew about history, and to learn new facts, and to view old facts with a new perspective. I was 13 for the Bicentennial, and d0n't remember all the things talked about in this book-like the wagon train going eastward. The format isn't specifically about the actual date July 4 on those years, but also about things going on the world that impacted that year's celebration, which I found very interesting. Overall, I recommend this for an informative read

[Gary T · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a fairly journalistic 101 review of American history, packaged around 5 dates at 50 year intervals from 1776. It’s very prose driven. While they take it up to the present moment of July 4, 2026, in the end, the authors lack the courage to scream bloody murder (of America) at the current $$$ regime. There is a little smoke but never fire. Maybe I’m skewed because I’ve been reading a lot about Frederick Douglass lately. These authors are so tame by comparison.

[Brett Van Gaasbeek · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting look into where we were at each 50 year anniversary in our republic, from the Declaration to this one in 2026. The authors do a wonderful job of giving the good, the bad and the ugly overall and it reads well. There are some times where the detail on minutia seems to be way too thick, but that does not detract from the quality of research and analysis.

[Garret Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Far from a love letter, and far from an excoriating expose, this book tightly reveals some of the major challenges from 1776, 1826, 1876, 1926, 1976, and 2026 respectively. A very timely and interesting splash into the nuances of our great country.

[Cheryl Greenly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good summary of every fifty year celebration. Some tangents were unnecessary.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to Mr. Bennett for my signed copy.

[Andy Tuite · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good start slower as it progressed. More partisan near the end