The Bradley Project on America's National Identity released an open letter to President-elect Barack Obama and the new Congress in January, calling on them to use events surrounding the Inauguration and the State of the Union address to strengthen our national unity and national purpose.  The letter is signed by a number of prominent historians, political scientists, and social commentators.

It follows last year's Bradley Project report, E Pluribus Unum.  The report finds that America is in danger of becoming not "from many, one," but "from one, many" and calls for a national conversation on preserving and enhancing our national identity.  More than 250,000 citizens have visited the Bradley Project's website since the report's release, and its findings and recommendations have been endorsed by numerous editorial boards, commentators, and political leaders.

The letter recommends that President Obama and the new Congress address the challenge of integrating newcomers into America, the relationship between a strong national identity and the long-term-health of American democracy, and the direction and character of civic education.

"The upcoming year may prove to be among the most consequential in our history," it begins.

"Over 200 years ago," it ends, "Benjamin Franklin said, '... we must, indeed, all hang together or most assuredly we shall hang separately.'  His words were far more real than metaphoric in the time of our nation's birth.  But in today's world they are a reminder of what is at stake if we fail to reinforce the foundations of our nation and promote the common good."