America250 follows the United States Bicentennial, celebrated nationwide in 1976.
A bicentennial marks 200 years, so the 1976 observance commemorated two centuries since the 1776 Declaration of Independence. It included celebrations across the country, patriotic events, exhibitions, and special commemorative items.
The sequence of anniversary names can cause confusion. The 100th anniversary in 1876 was the centennial, the 150th anniversary in 1926 was the sesquicentennial, and the 200th anniversary in 1976 was the bicentennial. The 250th anniversary in 2026 is the semiquincentennial.
Philadelphia played a prominent role in earlier national anniversary observances, including the 1876 Centennial Exposition and the 1926 Sesquicentennial Exposition. America250 similarly connects the national celebration with places central to the founding era.