The United States will celebrate its 250th anniversary, known as the semiquincentennial, on July 4, 2026.
The anniversary marks 250 years since the Second Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. The term “semiquincentennial” combines “semi,” meaning half, with “quincentennial,” meaning a 500th anniversary. Other names, including “sestercentennial” and “quarter millennium,” are also used, but America250 is the prominent public branding for the national commemoration.
The date is tied to the Declaration’s adoption, not the Constitution’s signing, the Revolutionary War’s end, or George Washington’s inauguration. Those events occurred in different years and are sometimes confused with the nation’s founding milestones.
The United States Semiquincentennial Commission was created by Congress to help coordinate commemorative activities. Events and projects have included educational programs, public ceremonies, exhibits, and special coinage connected with the 2026 anniversary.