What anniversary of U.S. independence will America250 commemorate in 2026?

America250 will commemorate the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence in 2026.

The anniversary marks 250 years since the Second Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. That document announced that the Thirteen Colonies regarded themselves as free and independent states rather than part of the British Empire.

The term “America250” refers to the nationwide commemoration associated with the United States Semiquincentennial. “Semiquincentennial” means a 250th anniversary: “semi” indicates half, while “quincentennial” relates to 500 years. Other labels include sestercentennial and quarter millennium, but America250 is the public-facing name most closely associated with the 2026 observance.

The previous major national milestone was the United States Bicentennial in 1976, which marked the 200th anniversary of the Declaration’s adoption. The next comparable anniversary will be the Tricentennial in 2076.