As the nation nears its 250th birthday, most Americans say one thing clearly: the country should talk openly about both its triumphs and its mistakes.
A new Pew Research Center survey finds broad agreement across party lines that public discussions of U.S. history should include successes and failures alike. The survey of 10,357 adults, conducted Nov. 17–30, 2025, comes amid renewed political fights over how American history gets taught and displayed.
A rare point of agreement
About two-thirds of U.S. adults say it’s extremely or very important to talk publicly about the country’s historical successes and strengths. The same share say it’s important to discuss America’s historical failures and flaws.
That overlap stands out in a deeply polarized political climate.
Roughly two-thirds of Democrats and Republicans say it’s at least very important to talk about the nation’s successes. When it comes to failures, the gap widens but doesn’t disappear.
Three-quarters of Democrats and Democratic leaners say discussions of failures and flaws matter. Six-in-ten Republicans and Republican-leaning independents say the same.
The result: majorities in both parties support a fuller version of American history, even if they don’t always agree on the emphasis.
Why this matters now
The findings land as the U.S. prepares for its semiquincentennial in 2026. They also come as actions by the Trump administration have reduced the focus on negative aspects of American history in some national parks, museums, and schools.
Those moves have fueled debates over patriotism, education, and whether discussing past injustices strengthens or weakens national identity.
The Pew data suggests most Americans don’t see those conversations as unpatriotic. Instead, many view them as necessary.
Differences by age and education
Support for discussing history isn’t evenly distributed, but it remains strong across groups.
Adults ages 50 and older are slightly more likely than younger adults to say it’s important to talk about historical successes. About 69% of those 50 and up say those discussions matter, compared with 63% of adults under 50.
Education also plays a role.
Adults with a college degree are more likely than those without one to say it’s important to discuss both the nation’s successes and its failures. That pattern holds for Democrats and Republicans alike.
Broad agreement across communities
Majorities across racial and ethnic groups say public discussions should cover both sides of the country’s past.
The survey notes some limitations. Estimates for Asian adults reflect English speakers only. The sample of Black Republicans is small, which raises the margin of error for that group.
Still, the overall pattern remains consistent: most Americans, regardless of background, support a balanced approach to history.
More than a culture war issue
The data complicates the idea that Americans want a one-sided story about their past.
Many say they want to celebrate achievements while also confronting hard truths. They don’t see those goals as mutually exclusive.
As classrooms, museums, and public spaces become flashpoints in political debates, the survey suggests the public may be more aligned than leaders assume.
Most Americans appear ready for a conversation that includes pride, criticism, and context — all at once.
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to [email protected].