Led country to present day (7)
I believe the answer is:
ushered
'led' is the definition.
(ushering is a kind of leading)
'country to present day' is the wordplay.
'country' becomes 'us' (U.S. is an example).
'to present' becomes 'here' (both can mean in attendance).
'day' becomes 'd' (abbreviation for day).
'us'+'here'+'d'='USHERED'
(Other definitions for ushered that I've seen before include "Escorted" , "Showed people to seats as in cinemas or theatre" , "Led" , "Conducted" , "Showed to a seat" .)