What is the official name for America250, the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence?

America250’s official name is the United States Semiquincentennial.

The term describes a 250th anniversary: “semi” means half, while “quincentennial” refers to a 500-year period. Together, semiquincentennial means half of 500 years. The commemoration marks the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and is centered on July 4, 2026.

Several alternative names appear in historical and reference sources, including sestercentennial, bisesquicentennial, and quarter millennium. However, United States Semiquincentennial is the formal name used for the national celebration and its congressional commission. America250 is the shorter public-facing brand.

The event follows the United States Bicentennial in 1976, which marked 200 years, and precedes the United States Tricentennial in 2076. The distinction matters because “bicentennial” means 200 years, not 250.