What anniversary does the United States Semiquincentennial in 2026 commemorate?

The United States Semiquincentennial in 2026 commemorates the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

The anniversary is measured from July 4, 1776, when the Second Continental Congress adopted the Declaration. The term “semiquincentennial” combines Latin-derived elements meaning half of 500, or 250.

America250 is a broad national commemoration built around this milestone. It highlights the founding era, the Declaration, the Revolutionary period, and the continuing history of the United States. The anniversary is sometimes described informally as America’s 250th birthday.

A common mix-up is confusing the anniversary with the signing of the Constitution in 1787. The Constitution is foundational, but the 2026 semiquincentennial specifically counts from the 1776 Declaration of Independence.