The congressional commission behind America250 was established in 2016.
Congress created the United States Semiquincentennial Commission to plan and encourage observances of the nation's 250th anniversary. The commission is a nonpartisan federal body associated with the America250 initiative, which coordinates commemorative programs and public engagement.
Planning began a decade before the anniversary date, allowing organizers to work with states, territories, museums, schools, civic groups, and cultural institutions. The initiative is designed to connect the 2026 milestone with both the history of 1776 and conversations about the nation's future.
The year 2016 can be confused with the anniversary itself. It was the year the commission was established, not the year of the semiquincentennial. The anniversary occurs in 2026, exactly 250 years after the Declaration of Independence was adopted.