The United States Semiquincentennial will mark the 250th Independence Day on July 4, 2026.
The date commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence by the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. The anniversary is commonly called America250, while “semiquincentennial” means a 250th anniversary.
Federal planning began with the United States Semiquincentennial Commission, created by Congress in 2016. The commission was established to coordinate nationwide commemorations, educational activities, and cultural events connected with the anniversary.
The celebration is distinct from the 1976 Bicentennial, which marked the 200th anniversary of the Declaration. The 2026 observance also falls on a Saturday, giving organizers a particularly prominent Independence Day weekend for ceremonies and public events.