Happy 250th, America!

250 years ago

Today, a handful of colonies signed their name to an idea and became a country. That's worth a beat before we get to Broncos and coins.

This year two big anniversaries land in the same twelve months. America turns 250. The Ford Bronco turns 60. Both started as somebody's bet on something bigger, and both are still being carried forward by the people who showed up next.

Where the coin comes from

Long before we minted our first one, challenge coins were already a military and first responder tradition. As the story goes, back in World War I: a lieutenant had bronze medallions made for his squadron, one pilot carried his in a pouch around his neck, got shot down behind enemy lines, and that medallion was the only proof he had of who he was when he made it back.

The tradition stuck. Carrying the coin meant you were there. You earned it, coin to coin, for showing up when it counted.

That's the same instinct behind "leave no driver behind." A lot of this herd learned it in uniform first, military, first responder, or both. Today, and any day really, is a good day to say thanks to those who served and sacrificed for the freedoms we enjoy in the U.S.A.

The Mint's doing it too

Funny enough, the U.S. Mint redesigned the quarter this year for the country's 250th. Millions of people are about to carry a little piece of this anniversary around without thinking twice about it. We like the symmetry. Our 60th Anniversary coin does the same thing for the Bronco: 1,966 made in honor of the Bronco’s start in 1966. A little history you can hold in your hand.

However you're spending today

Maybe that's a cookout. Maybe it's fireworks over the lake with the roof and doors off. Maybe it's family, a full cooler, and a Bronco parked somewhere it doesn't have to prove anything. We’re excited you’re part of the herd.

However you're spending the Fourth of July this year, we hope it's outside, and with people who matter to you. Happy 250th, America!