What is the official congressional commission organizing America250, the United States’ 250th anniversary?

The official congressional commission organizing America250 is the United States Semiquincentennial Commission.

Congress established the commission in 2016 to plan and coordinate observances of the 250th anniversary of the United States. Its work connects federal planning with state, local, educational, cultural, and community programs across the country.

The commission’s name uses the formal term for a 250th anniversary, while “America250” is the shorter public-facing brand. The commission is distinct from earlier bodies associated with the 1976 Bicentennial and the 1876 Centennial.

The commission’s role is broader than staging a single ceremony. A semiquincentennial involves commemorative programs, historical interpretation, civic education, and public events. The anniversary also gives communities an opportunity to connect local history with the wider story of the American Revolution and the founding of the United States.