A new US poll marking the country’s 250th anniversary finds that many Americans believe the nation’s best days are behind it. The Independent reports that the survey also shows a broad decline in Americans’ confidence in major institutions, including the military, news media and large technology companies. The results indicate reduced trust across multiple sectors rather than a single area of concern. The poll is presented as part of the 250th-anniversary reflections, suggesting that the attitudes captured are intended to gauge public sentiment about the country’s direction and confidence in the organizations that shape public life and information. Overall, the findings point to a cautious outlook among a majority of respondents, with lowered expectations for the future and weaker faith in institutions that historically have been viewed as central to national stability and public accountability. Details such as sample size, polling methodology, and the full breakdown of responses are not included in the provided excerpts.