Optimists Will Write the Story of America

While the surface might appear cynical, the undercurrent of the American story remains driven by hope.

In 1975, the Freedom Train rolled through Oakland, Calif.—about 15 miles from my home in Hayward—and changed how I thought about America.

My siblings and I were among the 7 million Americans who lined up to visit the train, which traversed the country to commemorate our nation's ​​bicentennial, or 200th anniversary. The train contained two centuries of Americana, including treasures like George Washington's copy of the Constitution, Thomas Edison's first working lightbulb, and Judy Garland's dress from The Wizard of Oz.

I remember standing mesmerized as a moving walkway carried us through the exhibit. In my hand, I twisted a bicentennial special edition quarter between my fingers.