New Delhi, June 28 -- As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary in 2026, Americans are looking back at the defining moments that shaped the nation.

According to the latest NBC News poll, sponsored by the nonprofit More Perfect, respondents pointed to milestones that expanded freedom and civil rights, alongside military victories and scientific breakthroughs.

Unlike traditional polls with multiple-choice options, respondents were asked an open-ended question: What is the greatest accomplishment in American history?

Their answers clustered around three broad themes: the expansion of rights, military and diplomatic achievements, and scientific or economic progress.

Nearly two-thirds of respondents cited milestones related to ...