What does it mean to be an American in 2026? The BBC asked US citizens across the country – including in California, New York, Texas, Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts and Washington DC – about how they identify in the lead up to America’s 250th anniversary.

Video produced and edited by Meiying Wu

Filmed by Meiying Wu, Angélica Casas, Madeline Gerber, Katy Bailes, Andrew Sarge Herbert and Ian Druce