The United States Semiquincentennial (America250) is observed on July 4, 2026.
The date marks 250 years since the Second Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Although Congress passed the Lee Resolution declaring independence on July 2, the Declaration was approved on July 4, the date that became the national anniversary.
The semiquincentennial is also called the 250th anniversary of the United States Declaration of Independence. The term “semiquincentennial” means a 250th anniversary: “semi” indicates half, while “quincentennial” refers to 500 years.
The anniversary follows earlier national milestones, including the centennial in 1876, the sesquicentennial in 1926, and the bicentennial in 1976. A common mix-up is to identify July 2 as the anniversary date because that was when Congress approved the independence resolution; America250’s principal anniversary date is July 4.