The United States Semiquincentennial commemorated by America250 took place on July 4, 2026.
This date was chosen because the Second Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. The anniversary therefore marks 250 years from the document’s adoption, rather than from the start of the Revolutionary War or the later signing of the parchment copy.
July 4 is celebrated annually in the United States as Independence Day. The Declaration was adopted in Philadelphia, and the signed engrossed parchment was later displayed as one of the country’s foundational documents. America250’s observance connected the 2026 milestone with national programs, local events, educational projects, and historical commemorations.