Happy 250th Birthday to America

By: Liana Gonzalez-Blanco

July 4, 2026

As America gets ready to celebrate its 250th birthday next year, it’s a good time to remember what makes this country different. Here in Key West, we’re only about 90 miles from Cuba, so we’re closer than just about anyone else to seeing the difference between freedom and Communism.

Around here, Cuba isn’t just something you read about in a history book—it’s part of our neighborhood, our history, and for many families, their personal story.

Living in Key West, we joke about a lot of things. We argue over whether the best Cuban sandwich is on Duval or Stock Island, complain when cruise ships clog the harbor, and debate whose key lime pie deserves bragging rights.

But one thing most people around here don’t joke about is what life under the Castro regime has meant for generations of Cubans.

Some people today talk about Communism like it’s just another political opinion—kind of like arguing over property taxes or whether Fantasy Fest should last one weekend or two.

But for many Cuban Americans, it’s not an abstract idea. It’s the reason their parents or grandparents packed everything they could carry and risked everything for a chance to live in America.

Critics of Communism point out that history has been anything but kind to the ideology. Communist governments have been linked to famine, political repression, forced labor, censorship, and mass killings that historians estimate claimed roughly 100 million lives during the twentieth century.

That’s why Key West residents know that Communism isn’t simply another economic theory. Most on the island reject the fake “No Kings” rallies. They know the truth about the failure of Communism.

It’s a system that puts government ahead of the individual and gives the state enormous power over everyday life—what people can say, what they can own, where they can worship, and even whether they can criticize their leaders.

Here in the Florida Keys, we don’t have to imagine what happens when freedom disappears. We can literally see Cuba from our corner of the world.

We’ve welcomed Cuban refugees who escaped it, listened to their stories, and watched families separated for decades because of it.

America certainly isn’t perfect. We’ve made mistakes, argued with each other, and spent nearly 250 years trying to live up to the promises made in the Declaration of Independence.

But the difference is that Americans have the freedom to argue, vote, protest, worship, start businesses, buy property, criticize politicians, and work to make the country better.

That’s a very different system from the Cuban Communist system where the government decides nearly everything.

As our nation approaches its 250th birthday, it’s worth celebrating those freedoms—and remembering that they didn’t come free. Generations of Americans sacrificed, fought and died to preserve our freedoms.

Here in Key West, that reality feels especially close to home. After all, we’re surrounded by sunshine, saltwater, and history. We know the Gulf stream can carry you a long way—but it also reminds us that 90 miles can be the difference between living under a Constitution and living under a dictatorship.

So while we enjoy the fireworks, the backyard barbecues, and maybe one more slice of key lime pie, it’s also worth remembering why Independence Day matters. Freedom is easy to celebrate, but it still has to be protected.

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Liana Gonzalez-Blanco

Liana is a Key West native who loves writing about her island home. She taught English to students in grades 6–12 for nearly 35 years in Key West schools, sharing her love of literature and language with generations of local students. She earned a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Florida and a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Central Florida. Liana is the owner of Conch Media Group, LLC, and the creator and manager of The Key West Post. Her goal is to keep readers informed about the issues that matter most in Key West. As a lifelong local, she offers a perspective often missing from corporate media and from journalists and bloggers who are new to the island.  When Liana isn't writing and managing this website, she enjoys spending time with her friends and family. On most days, you’ll find her walking, biking, or running outdoors, soaking up the natural beauty, friendly people, and diverse cultures that make Key West so special. Some articles are free for everybody. However, readers can access all articles and support her local independent news website by joining a pay plan here and cancel anytime without any hassles. Membership includes the use of a free App. Readers can also join the free newsletter here.