The United States celebrated its Bicentennial in 1976, before the 2026 Semiquincentennial.
The Bicentennial marked 200 years since the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. Its main anniversary date was July 4, 1976, exactly two centuries after the 1776 milestone now being commemorated again through America250.
Planning began in 1966, when Congress established the American Revolution Bicentennial Commission. The initial idea involved a single exposition, but the final celebration became a decentralized national program involving communities across the country and abroad.
The Bicentennial included special coins, postage stamps, performances, exhibitions, and the American Freedom Train. It also coincided with the opening of the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. The 2026 observance echoes the earlier celebration while adding new initiatives focused on service, civic participation, and preserving stories for future generations.