What is the formal name of America250, the 2026 celebration of U.S. independence?

America250’s formal name is the United States Semiquincentennial.

The term describes a 250th anniversary: “semi” means half, while “quincentennial” relates to 500 years. The event commemorates the 250th anniversary of American independence and is centered on July 4, 2026.

Other names have also appeared in historical and public discussions, including bisesquicentennial, sestercentennial, and quarter millennium. However, United States Semiquincentennial is the formal title used for the nationwide commemoration.

The celebration follows earlier major anniversaries: the centennial in 1876, the sesquicentennial in 1926, and the bicentennial in 1976. America250 is the branding associated with the congressional United States Semiquincentennial Commission, which was established in 2016.