"England, in particular, was founded upon a bedrock of justice and equality." I don't think too many English people would think that claiming it was was an essential part of their patriotism. That isn't really part of the national myth. If it was even the slightest knowledge of history would undermine it.

That seems to be different from the way that comes across about how many Americans see their history.

I think it's very adroit and encouraging the way Obma has hammered away with that historic phrase about creating "a more perfect union", and used it to try to make Americans see that recognising the injustice of the past, and rejoicing in changes that have removed some of them, can be a foundation of a more mature type of patriotism.