25 moments of American global good across 250 years
By
Tim Hirschel-Burns
10h ago· 20 min readenInsight
Summary
A reflective article marking 250 years of American independence by examining 25 instances where the US has positively impacted the world. It opens with a poignant story of a child's death in South Sudan due to US foreign aid cuts, then pivots to a broader, hopeful catalog of American contributions across humanitarian aid, scientific discovery, cultural influence, and democratic support. The piece balances criticism of US failures with a recognition of its capacity for global good.
Source
bsky25 moments of American global good across 250 yearstimhirschelburns.substack.comKey quotes
· 4 pulledA year ago today, a one-year-old child named Nyagoa died in a remote village in South Sudan. She had fallen ill with cholera on July 3rd, 2025.
In normal circumstances, the International Rescue Committee would have visited the village that day and provided her with care. But this time, they didn't.
Several months before, they had been forced to suspend those operations after the Trump administration cut their funding as part of a broader evisceration of international aid.
Nyagoa's condition deteriorated quickly, and she died on the Fourth of July.
A hopeful take on the last 250 years
You might also wanna read
As it turns 250, the US questions its role in the world: ‘Great Satan’ or ‘indispensable nation’?
EL PAÍS·1d ago
World leaders toast America on its 250th birthday
KSN-TV·10h ago
American authors reflect on the nation's highs and lows as the USA approaches its 250th anniversary
A reflective essay marking the USA's 250th anniversary, where leading American authors (Marilynne Robinson, Richard Ford, Attica Locke, and
observer.co.uk·5d ago
“Meet a Stranger”: StoryCorps Facilitates Conversations Across the U.S. for 250th Anniversary
Radio Free·5d ago
America 250 and the Imperial Nation
Radio Free·4d ago
America 250: From 1776 to the moon and beyond (A Space.com series)
Space·11h ago
Comments
Sign in to join the conversation.
No comments yet. Be the first.