{"id":311814,"date":"2026-06-12T09:49:00","date_gmt":"2026-06-12T13:49:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/beta.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/?p=311814"},"modified":"2026-07-09T15:24:22","modified_gmt":"2026-07-09T19:24:22","slug":"on-the-countrys-250th-anniversary-the-american-people-are-in-a-sour-mood","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/beta.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/2026\/06\/12\/on-the-countrys-250th-anniversary-the-american-people-are-in-a-sour-mood\/","title":{"rendered":"On the Country\u2019s 250th Anniversary, the American People Are in a Sour Mood"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Hands
(Galeanu Mihai via Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n

But there are some signs of optimism about the future<\/h2>\n\n\n
About this research<\/summary>\n

This Pew Research Center report uses survey data to explore how U.S. adults think things are going for the country on the eve of its 250th anniversary \u2013 and what they see in the nation\u2019s future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why did we do this?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Pew Research Center conducts high-quality research to inform the public, journalists and leaders. Studying Americans\u2019 views about how things are functioning in the U.S. and their expectations for the future is a key part of the Center\u2019s long-standing research agenda.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Learn more about Pew Research Center<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How did we do this?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

This analysis includes new findings from a survey of 3,592 U.S. adults who are part of the Center\u2019s American Trends Panel (ATP)<\/a>. The survey was conducted April 6-12, 2026, and has an overall margin of error of plus or minus 1.9 percentage points.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are the questions from that survey used for this analysis<\/a>, along with responses<\/a> and the survey methodology<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additionally, this analysis draws on previously released survey findings we published in recent years. Links to those earlier surveys are included throughout this report.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n

As the nation approaches its 250th birthday, the American public\u2019s mood is sour \u2013 but with some signs of enduring optimism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Pew Research Center surveys over the past year, most people have told us they are dissatisfied with the way things are going in the United States and that they think the country\u2019s best days<\/a> are behind us.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Most Americans think the country\u2019s best days are behind us<\/strong><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
Among U.S. adults …<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n
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Note: Those who did not answer are not shown.<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
Source: Question about satisfaction comes from a survey of U.S. adults conducted Jan. 20-26, 2026. Question about country\u2019s best years comes from a survey of U.S. adults conducted Dec. 8-14, 2025.<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
PEW RESEARCH CENTER<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t
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Share this chart<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t