What is the formal name of America250’s 2026 observance?

The formal name of America250’s 2026 observance is the United States Semiquincentennial.

A semiquincentennial is a 250th anniversary. The word combines “semi,” meaning half, with “quincentennial,” referring to 500 years. In this context, it describes the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and the founding of the United States as an independent nation.

The celebration is also known by less common terms, including bisesquicentennial, sestercentennial and quarter millennium. America250 is the public-facing name used by the organizing commission and its national programs.

The previous major national anniversary was the Bicentennial in 1976, marking 200 years. “Tricentennial” refers to a 300th anniversary, so it belongs to the planned 2076 milestone rather than the 2026 celebration.