America 250 The Unity Question

FILE - Thirteen United States flags representing the 13 original colonies are seen at Liberty State Park with 1 World Trade Center, bottom left, and the Statue of Liberty, bottom right, in the background, Sept. 11, 2014, in Jersey City, N.J.

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'Out of many, one,' says a US national motto. What does that push for unity mean today?

'Out of many, one,' says a US national motto. What does that push for unity mean today?

From its earliest days as a country, the diverse United States has aspired to unity. The founders emphasized unity as vital for the new nation, but defining it has been complex. While ideals like freedom and equality were promoted, the reality often fell short. America has never been just one unified entity. The U.S. has a mixed history of dealing with inclusion and exclusion, and the question of unity remains relevant today.