A new AP-NORC poll finds that about 4 in 10 U.S. adults feel “proud” about the country's 250th anniversary, while about 3 in 10 feel “excited.”

Most Americans say the signers of the Declaration of Independence would feel more disappointment than pride about the nation's democracy today.

As the U.S. turns 250, we can recognize its problems and still raise a glass—and history shows us why.