What is the official term for America's 250th anniversary, celebrated through America250?
Answer
Semiquincentennial
The official term for America's 250th anniversary, celebrated through America250, is semiquincentennial.
The word combines semi-, meaning half, with quincentennial, meaning a 500th anniversary. Half of 500 is 250, so a semiquincentennial is a quarter-millennium anniversary. The term is less familiar than bicentennial, which describes 200 years, but it is the standard name used for the United States' 2026 commemoration.
Other labels have appeared in discussions of the anniversary, including sestercentennial, bisesquicentennial, and quarter millennium. However, the congressional commission and many official programs use United States Semiquincentennial.
America250 is the public-facing name associated with the national commemoration. It refers both to the anniversary effort and to the organization supporting programs that encourage historical reflection, civic participation, education, and community events.