The United States celebrated its bicentennial in 1976, 50 years before America’s 250th anniversary.
A bicentennial marks 200 years. The 1976 observance commemorated the 200th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, which had been adopted in 1776. It was one of the largest nationwide celebrations in American history.
The bicentennial featured parades, exhibitions, public ceremonies, historic preservation projects, and special commemorative products. The year also saw the release of the American Freedom Train, which traveled across the country carrying historical artifacts and attracted millions of visitors.
The 2026 semiquincentennial continues the sequence of major national anniversaries. The centennial took place in 1876, the sesquicentennial in 1926, and the bicentennial in 1976. These labels describe the number of years since the 1776 declaration, not the age of the Constitution or the federal government.