What binds Americans today: Ideals or identity? 

Tuesday, June 23, 2026, 1:30 — 5:00 p.m. EDT
Location: The Brookings Institution, Falk Auditorium, 1775 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20036

The Fourth of July will mark 250 years since the Declaration of Independence was written and the United States broke from Great Britain. The Declaration does more than justify America's separation from colonial rule; it establishes a shared set of principles on which the new nation was founded.

President Abraham Lincoln argued that the core ethos of the United States is dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. The enduring power of Lincoln's claim helps explain why many scholars believe that the United States is a "creedal" nation, united by beliefs rather than race, ethnicity, or religion. But is this really the case or do fundamental values take a backset to Americans’ racial, ethnic, and religious identities?

On June 23, Governance Studies at Brookings will host an event to discuss how these ideas have evolved throughout history and why they matter most in today’s polarized political climate. This event will be open to attend in person or watch online. Online viewers can submit questions via e-mail to events@brookings.edu.