The United States held its Bicentennial celebration in 1976.
The Bicentennial marked 200 years since the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Celebrations took place across the country and included festivals, parades, exhibitions, public projects, and special issues of coins and postage stamps. The commemoration was national rather than limited to one host city.
Philadelphia, the city where the Declaration was adopted, played a prominent role. The city hosted major events and exhibitions, while communities throughout the United States organized local observances. The Apollo 11 astronauts also received a special honor when the Independence Day celebrations included a visit to the Soviet Union aboard a commemorative goodwill mission.
The 1976 Bicentennial provides the most direct precedent for America250. The 2026 semiquincentennial likewise looks back to the founding era while using nationwide programs to connect historical events with civic participation.