United States Semiquincentennial commissioners were sworn in during 2018 in Philadelphia.
The ceremony took place at Independence Hall on November 16, 2018. Congress selected the building because it was the site where delegates debated and adopted both the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution.
Philadelphia has a central place in the story of American independence. The Second Continental Congress met there in 1776, and the Declaration was publicly read in the city. Independence Hall later became a UNESCO World Heritage Site and remains one of the most visited historic landmarks in the United States.
The commission’s Philadelphia gathering was more than a ceremonial choice. It connected the modern planning effort with the founding-era institutions and debates the 2026 anniversary is intended to commemorate. The commission then began regular meetings and long-term planning for the national celebration.