The United States held its Bicentennial observances in 1976.
The Bicentennial marked 200 years since the Declaration of Independence was adopted in 1776. Celebrations took place nationwide and included parades, exhibitions, historical programs, public ceremonies, and specially designed patriotic materials. The 1976 observance became the immediate national precedent for the Semiquincentennial planned for 2026.
The anniversary also coincided with the country’s broader interest in its colonial and Revolutionary history. Philadelphia hosted major events because of its association with the Declaration and the Constitutional Convention. The naval event known as Operation Sail brought tall ships to New York Harbor, creating one of the most memorable maritime spectacles of the Bicentennial year.
The two anniversaries are separated by exactly 50 years. “Bicentennial” means a 200th anniversary, while “semiquincentennial” means a 250th anniversary. The 1976 celebration therefore was not America250 itself, but it supplied a model for nationwide commemorative programming and public participation.