The United States Semiquincentennial Commission, associated with America250, received congressional authorization in 2016.
Congress created the commission through the United States Semiquincentennial Commission Act of 2016. Its purpose was to plan and coordinate observances for the 250th anniversary of American independence in 2026.
The commission followed earlier efforts by civic and historical groups, especially in Philadelphia, to secure national attention for the milestone. A nonprofit organization called USA250 had been established in Philadelphia in 2011 to promote federal support and encourage the city’s role in anniversary events.
The commission’s work concerns nationwide history, civics, education, preservation, and public programming. Its creation in 2016 is distinct from later White House planning structures established during the 2020s, which are separate from the congressionally authorized commission.