As a lifelong student of American history, I had always dreamed of visiting the places where our nation was born. For years, that journey remained on my bucket list. Then, as America approached its 250th anniversary, I realized it was finally time .
My daughter, Carla, offered to drive. While I was eager to explore historic sites, she had a different, but related, goal. Passionate about civic engagement, she wanted to encourage people to participate in the upcoming election. Before we left, she ordered 100 bracelets from Commit to Democracy 2026 to hand out along the way as reminders of the importance of voting.
Our trip began in Maine, where we viewed a letter George Washington wrote before leaving office. Seeing that document reminded me how remarkable it was that our first president voluntarily gave up power, helping establish a democratic tradition that continues to define our nation.
From there, we traveled through New Hampshire and into Boston, walking the Freedom Trail and visiting landmarks I had spent decades reading about. Finally standing in those places felt like stepping into the pages of history.
Philadelphia was the highlight. Walking through Independence Hall and visiting the National Constitution Center gave me a deeper appreciation for the courage, compromise, and debate that shaped our democracy. I was especially moved by learning about the delegates who refused to sign the Constitution because they believed it lacked sufficient protections for individual rights.
Yet the most memorable part of the trip was not the historic sites but the people. Everywhere we went, Carla spoke with strangers about voting. One initially dismissed her offer of a bracelet, only to return later, apologize, and ask for one after realizing he shared her belief that this was an election where science, public health, and democratic values were on the ballot.
That moment reflected something I saw throughout our travels: Americans often have more in common than we realize. Visiting the birthplace of our republic reminded me that democracy remains an ongoing project, sustained by citizens who choose to participate. At 89, that realization gives me hope for America’s future.