America250 marks the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence on what date?

America250 marks the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence on July 4, 2026.

The date commemorates July 4, 1776, when the Second Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence. The anniversary is formally called the United States Semiquincentennial, while America250 is the name associated with the national commemorative effort.

The celebration follows the 200th anniversary, or bicentennial, in 1976. A semiquincentennial is an anniversary of 250 years: “semi” means half, “quin” relates to five, and a century is 100 years.

The date is sometimes confused with July 2, 1776, when Congress passed the Lee Resolution declaring that the colonies should be independent. July 4 is the date Congress approved the Declaration’s final wording, making it the traditional Independence Day anniversary.