What does the United States Semiquincentennial, celebrated in 2026, mark?
Answer
The 250th anniversary of U.S. independence
The United States Semiquincentennial, celebrated in 2026, marks the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence.
The anniversary counts from July 4, 1776, when the Second Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence. The term “semiquincentennial” combines roots meaning half of 500, or 250 years.
America250 is the common branding for the nationwide commemoration. It refers specifically to the anniversary of the Declaration’s adoption, rather than the later ratification of the Constitution or the start of the American Revolutionary War.
The previous major national milestone was the United States Bicentennial in 1976, which marked 200 years since the Declaration. The next comparable anniversary will be the Tricentennial in 2076.