A new poll shows a sharp partisan divide over how Americans view Independence Day as the country approaches its 250th birthday.
The Reuters/Ipsos survey, conducted from June 12 to June 15 among 1,537 U.S. adults, asked respondents about their plans for the Fourth of July and what the holiday means to them. The questions included whether they planned to display the American flag, attend patriotic events, wear red, white and blue, or celebrate the day at all.
The results showed Republicans were far more likely than Democrats to say they would mark the holiday with traditional patriotic displays. According to the poll, 64% of Republicans said they planned to put up an American flag or flag bunting outside their home for July 4. Among Democrats, that number was 27%.
The same divide appeared in how respondents described the meaning of the holiday. Nearly two-thirds of Republicans, 65%, said July 4 is “a day where I celebrate the United States of America.” Just 24% of Democrats gave the same answer.
Democrats and independents were more likely than Republicans to say Independence Day feels “just like any other day.” Both groups were 11 percentage points higher than Republicans on that response, according to the survey.
The poll also found differences in how Americans plan to celebrate. Republicans were more likely to say they would wear red, white and blue, with 52% saying they planned to do so, compared with 20% of Democrats. Republicans were also more likely to attend fireworks displays, with 46% saying they planned to go, compared with 28% of Democrats.
Parades and festivals showed a similar gap. Twenty percent of Republicans said they planned to attend one, while 9% of Democrats said the same.
A notable share of Democrats and independents said they did not plan to celebrate the holiday at all. Twenty-four percent of both groups gave that answer, compared with 8% of Republicans.
The survey also asked broader questions about how Americans view the country. Only 11% of Democrats said they believe the United States is the greatest country in the world. Among Republicans, 62% agreed with that statement.
The findings come as other recent polls have pointed to growing political and cultural divisions over national identity and patriotism. A Fox News survey conducted ahead of America’s 250th anniversary found that 58% of voters believe Americans are divided by different values, while 42% said the country is united by shared values.
That split also varies by party. Majorities of Democrats and independents said Americans are divided by different values, at 62% and 65%, respectively. Republicans were nearly evenly split, with 49% saying Americans share values and 50% saying they are divided by different ones.
