America is a country that never stands still. Since the Declaration of Independence was sent to King George 250 years ago, our nation has been a restless improvisation — a citizenry reshaped by immigration, war and economic and cultural upheavals. For the nation’s semiquincentennial, we asked Times Opinion columnists and writers to pluck a moment from this complicated history that represents the best of what this country can be. What are the accomplishments, movements and ideas that continue to inspire us? Here are 16 nominations for America’s highlight reel.

Our Unofficial Anthem

Tressie McMillan Cottom

‘An island of democratic possibility’

America did not invent libraries. That was the Assyrians. But when the Peterborough Town Library in New Hampshire was........

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