As 2026 unfolds, excitement is building to celebrate America's 250th birthday, the Semiquincentennial. Bucks County Cardinal rolls out a series of perspectives to get us ready for this special milestone.
Fortunate to experience the Bicentennial celebrations in 1976 as a young girl, I remember admiring bicentennial quarters, commemorative stamps, cars painted in red, white, and blue, and elaborate fireworks. As a youngster, I was captivated by the milkshakes in the tri-colors at a popular fast-food chain. Our local ice cream parlor showcased multiple patriotic flavors, and we made it a point to sample each one.
My mother, father, and grandmothers showered love upon the family in our multigenerational home. The energizing spirit of the Bicentennial inspired a creative spark across the nation and brought people together. Our entire family enjoyed the festivities wholeheartedly.
My father bought sparklers and used his engineering knowhow to devise a longer handle to make them safer. We were thrilled to make grand circles with our elongated firework pinwheels. As for a colorful flair in the kitchen, I remember how my mother made a delicious cherry-topped cheesecake to our delight. She arranged lines of cherries with precision atop a perfectly shaped cream cheese rectangle like the bright red and white stripes of our flag. She also added a creative twist on an ice cream soda float: cola, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a dash of grape juice concentrate to represent blue, and a red Maraschino cherry on top. We would savor the patriotic ice cream float by sipping it slowly with a straw and ending with the cherry.
My paternal grandmother used to make a sweet milk pudding with cornstarch, milk, sugar, and a dash of vanilla called blancmange for breakfast. She too got into the “spirit of 1976” by adding drops of food coloring to make beautiful and delicious versions in red, white, and blue. Blue blancmange especially was a hit as it made us feel special.
A similar milk-based pudding was made in the 1700s from the British “hasty pudding,” made with wheat flour and milk. Due to scarcity of wheat flour in colonial times, settlers adapted by using Native American cornmeal, milk, molasses or maple syrup, and the dish was known as “Indian pudding.”
As we count the days till July 4, 2026, may we learn from history and appreciate those who demonstrated human values of valor, commitment, resourcefulness, and a spirit of togetherness for the greater good.
Black History Month: A Historical Commemoration
The true spirit of the Bicentennial honored those who fought courageously for America's independence and its legacy as a sovereign country.
In commemorating Black History Month, we honor black soldier Stacey Williams (c.1742-1820) of Bucks County. Valley Forge National Park archives state that Stacey Williams enlisted from Newtown on April 29, 1777, to support the American Revolutionary War efforts. He served in the 6th Pennsylvania Regiment.
Records account for Williams’ encampment at Valley Forge. Conditions were recorded as being extraordinarily harsh in those times, with shortages of food, clothing, shelter, and supplies. As soldiers set up camp, they built log shelters, devised makeshift clothing and gear, and cooked with provisions that were on-hand and made rations last. They found strength in coming together as one unit for a greater goal.
Williams was wounded in Germantown (1777). He recovered and continued to fight in the Battle of Monmouth, which took place at the end of June 1778 in New Jersey. Commanding General George Washington led the charge against British General Sir Henry Clinton. Considerable casualties were suffered on both sides. Washington narrowly claimed victory with the British retreating to New York.
Marching from New York to South Carolina, Williams also supported the Southern Campaign. His military service culminated at Yorktown (1781), the final land victory decisively won by the Continental Army, led by Washington.
Williams survived the Revolutionary War. He earned a pension and settled down in Middletown Township in Bucks County. We celebrate Stacey Williams and the service of the thousands of soldiers who fought valiantly.
Sheila Ramakrishnan is a chemical engineer and writer. She enjoys hiking, gardening, piano, yoga, and meditation. She is a volunteer for the non-profit Art of Living Foundation and teaches stress relief techniques for the community. For more information about her work, visit https://www.artofliving.org