250 Years In: Happy Birthday, America | Alani Bankhead

Original air date: July 4, 2026 From the Copper Kings to the first woman in Congress, Alani Bankhead on Montana's history of reminding the powerful that America belongs to all of us. 250 years in. Happy Birthday, America. But this isn’t just another birthday. It’s a reminder that every generation is called to reclaim and renew our democracy. To me, America has always been a promise: That if you help your neighbor, do the right thing, work hard, and refuse to give up on your dreams, anything is possible. For too many people today, that promise feels farther away than it should. But what gives me hope is you. The patriots we meet across Montana who show up every day for their families, their communities, and one another. The people who get knocked down, stand back up, and keep going. That’s who we’ve always been. We stood up to the Copper Kings over a century ago. We sent the first woman to Congress before women across America even had the right to vote. Our labor movement fought for many of the workplace protections and safety nets that generations have relied upon. We wrote a Montana Constitution that protects our public lands, recognizes the dignity of our Native communities, and reflects the belief that government exists to serve the people. Throughout our history, powerful interests have tried to claim America for themselves. And time after time, the people reminded them that America belongs to all of us. So today, I celebrate you. Thank you for every act of service, every act of kindness, and every effort to strengthen our democracy and our Montana. As we celebrate 250 years of this great American experiment, let’s remember who we are, and keep building a nation that is freer, more just, more compassionate, and full of opportunity for the next 250 years. Happy Birthday, America. More: https://alaniformt.com/meet-alani Volunteer: https://alaniformt.com/get-involved Donate: https://alaniformt.com/donate #Montana #MTSen #AlaniBankhead Paid for by Friends of Alani Bankhead.