For America250, on what date did Congress officially approve the name “United States of America”?

Congress officially approved the name “United States of America” on September 9, 1776.

The phrase had already appeared in the Declaration of Independence, adopted on July 4. Congress later made the name official by replacing the wording “United Colonies” in its documents with “United States.” That formal change occurred on September 9, 1776.

This date is often overlooked because July 4 is the better-known anniversary associated with independence. The two dates mark different developments: July 4 records adoption of the Declaration, while September 9 records Congress’s official naming decision.

The name described the thirteen former colonies as a union of states. It became the country’s established national name and remains the wording commemorated in historical accounts of America250.