America250, the United States Semiquincentennial, will reach its 250th anniversary on July 4, 2026. The date marks 250 years since the Second Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence in 1776.
The anniversary is often called America250 because the official celebrations focus on the founding events associated with American independence. “Semiquincentennial” is the formal chronological term: semi- means half, quin- relates to five, and centennial refers to 100 years, producing 250 years.
The anniversary date is sometimes confused with July 2, 1776, when Congress passed the Lee Resolution declaring the colonies independent. July 4 is the date Congress adopted the Declaration’s final text and the date used for Independence Day. America250 therefore culminates on Independence Day rather than on July 2.
The preceding major national anniversary was the 1976 Bicentennial, which marked 200 years. The next comparable sequence milestone will be the Tricentennial in 2076.