A new NPR/PBS News/Marist poll finds that while most Americans say they are proud of the United States, a substantial share express worry about where the country is headed. Nearly one third of respondents report being worried about the direction of the country, reflecting a split between positive feelings about the nation and concerns about its future course. The poll is conducted as the United States approaches its 250th birthday, and it captures how Americans assess the state of the nation ahead of that milestone. Overall, the results indicate that pride remains widespread, but public optimism is tempered by apprehension among a significant minority. The reporting highlights the combination of pride and worry rather than a single dominant sentiment, suggesting that Americans’ views about the country’s current trajectory are more mixed than their broader national pride. The poll’s findings are based on the respondents’ self-reported attitudes toward the country’s direction.