How many years does the United States Semiquincentennial mark?

The United States Semiquincentennial marks 250 years of American independence.

The anniversary is scheduled for 2026, exactly 250 years after the Declaration of Independence was adopted in 1776. “Semiquincentennial” is a formal term for a 250th anniversary, although “America250” and “the 250th anniversary” are more familiar public names.

The milestone follows the United States Bicentennial in 1976, which marked 200 years. It is larger than an ordinary anniversary because the number 250 represents a quarter of a millennium and connects the founding era with the country’s modern history. America250 programs use the occasion to examine both the nation’s origins and its continuing story.

The anniversary should not be confused with the 250th anniversary of a particular document or state. America250 principally commemorates the 250th anniversary of the United States Declaration of Independence and the founding-era events associated with it. The date is therefore calculated from 1776, not from the Constitution’s ratification in 1788 or the federal government’s launch in 1789.