Birthdays, for people and nations, are an occasion for celebration, for pageantry that would appear gauche on most other days. Add to that a chief executive who has doubled down on jingoistic nationalism and the triumphalism surrounding the United States of America’s 250th Independence Day is understandable. Even so, the Ultimate Fighting Championship event on the White House lawns last month that carried the unsubtle symbolism of a Roman emperor presiding over a gladiatorial contest was a bit much. A major anniversary, however, is also an occasion for major reflection. While much about America remains exceptional, in a changing........

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