WONDER WHY

American Pride Hits All-Time Low in New Poll Ahead of Fourth of July

Fewer than half of Americans say they feel “extremely proud” of their country, for the second year running.

The Independence Day celebrations this week might just be a little more muted than usual. A new poll from Gallup reveals that Americans’ pride in the U.S. has hit its lowest point since the polling company first asked the question in 2001. The poll showed 70 percent of U.S. adults overall say they’re proud to be Americans, but only 45 percent are “extremely” proud. Unsurprisingly, Democrats are far behind Republicans in expressing extreme pride in the country. It’s the second year in a row that fewer than half of respondents have said they were extremely proud of their country. The highest ever readings, of 69 percent and 70 percent, were recorded between 2002 and 2004.