The U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission, known as America250, was established in 2016.
Congress created the commission through the United States Semiquincentennial Commission Act of 2016. Its task was to help plan and coordinate a national commemoration of the 250th anniversary of American independence, including events, educational efforts, and partnerships across the country.
The commission’s creation began a long planning period leading to the 2026 anniversary. The legislation also directed federal agencies to support commemorative coins, postage stamps, and appropriately named naval vessels connected with the milestone.
The year can be confused with later organizational dates. A private nonprofit partner was selected in 2018, and the commission’s members held their first organizing meeting that same year. Congress amended the law in 2020, including changes involving funding and commission membership. Those later developments did not change the commission’s founding year: the congressional America250 effort began in 2016.