Americans say the people are the best part of the U.S.

In the latest CBS News/YouGov poll, “the people” ranked first when adults were asked about the best thing about the American way of life, well ahead of the nation’s land and resources, its economic system or its system of government.

The survey interviewed 2,150 U.S. adults from June 23 to 26 and carries a margin of error of plus or minus 2.7 points. Americans named freedom as the country’s greatest invention most often, with democracy next. The light bulb and lighting were mentioned most, followed by the internet, then the automobile, telephone and airplane.

Americans said the United States is best in the world at movies and television, while trailing in perceptions of sports and food. When asked which food most represents America, hamburgers came in first, with barbecue second and apple pie and hot dogs behind it. Apple pie edged out the other choices among seniors, and pizza, though it finished lower overall, was chosen more often in the Northeast than in other parts of the country.

America 250 festivities were set to kick off Wednesday night at the National Mall in Washington. CBS also plans a primetime special on Saturday, July 4, tied to the nation’s 250th birthday and billed around exclusive performances and a fireworks show. In the poll, just over half of Americans said they were at least somewhat excited about the semiquincentennial, though few said they were very excited.

Half of Americans said they will fly the American flag on the Fourth of July, and the more excited respondents were about America 250, the more likely they were to say they would raise it. An Elon University Poll released June 2 found 68% of adults say they are proud to be American, but 73% rate the overall health of U.S. democracy as fair or poor, and 52% say the country is unsuccessfully living up to its founding ideals.