The United States’ 200th-anniversary celebration in 1976 was called the Bicentennial.
The celebration marked two centuries since the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Communities across the country organized parades, festivals, exhibits, concerts, and historical programs, while the federal government issued special commemorative coins and postage stamps.
The Bicentennial is the immediate predecessor to the 2026 Semiquincentennial. “Bicentennial” means a 200th anniversary, while “semiquincentennial” means a 250th anniversary. The 1976 observance also helped establish the tradition of nationwide civic celebration that America250 builds upon.