What is the formal anniversary term used for America250’s 250-year commemoration?
Answer
Semiquincentennial
The formal anniversary term used for America250’s 250-year commemoration is semiquincentennial.
The word combines “semi,” meaning half, with “quincentennial,” meaning a 500th anniversary. Together, the parts describe half of 500 years, or 250 years. The term is unusual, so the shorter public label America250 is often easier to recognize.
Several other names have appeared for a 250th anniversary, including sestercentennial, bisesquicentennial, and quarter millennium. Semiquincentennial is the term used in the official name of the United States Semiquincentennial and its federal commission.
The word should not be confused with bicentennial, which means 200 years, or sesquicentennial, which means 150 years. Tricentennial means 300 years. In American commemorative history, the 1976 celebration was the Bicentennial, while the 2026 observance is the Semiquincentennial.