What name is given to the 250th anniversary of the United States Declaration of Independence in 2026?

The 250th anniversary of the United States Declaration of Independence in 2026 is called the United States Semiquincentennial.

The term “semiquincentennial” combines Latin and Greek-derived elements meaning half of five hundred years, or 250 years. The anniversary falls on July 4, 2026, marking 250 years since the Second Continental Congress approved the Declaration of Independence in 1776.

America250 is the commonly used name for the nationwide commemorative effort. The United States Semiquincentennial Commission was established by Congress in 2016 to coordinate anniversary initiatives, educational programs, and public participation. The occasion is also described as America’s 250th birthday, although the formal historical milestone concerns the Declaration’s adoption.

The name is easy to confuse with “bicentennial,” which means a 200th anniversary. The United States Bicentennial took place in 1976, while the sesquicentennial marked 150 years in 1926. America250 therefore refers specifically to the 2026 semiquincentennial.