What term describes America’s 250th anniversary, commemorated on July 4, 2026?

America’s 250th anniversary is called the Semiquincentennial. The word combines “semi,” meaning half, with “quincentennial,” referring to a 500th anniversary. Together, the term describes half of five centuries, or 250 years.

The United States Semiquincentennial commemorates the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, adopted by the Second Continental Congress in 1776. The principal anniversary date is July 4, 2026, although related events were planned before and after that day.

The term is sometimes confused with “bicentennial,” which means a 200th anniversary and was used for the 1976 celebration. “Sesquicentennial” means 150 years, while “tricentennial” means 300 years. “Bicenquinquagenary” is another possible term for 250 years, but “semiquincentennial” is the name most associated with the 2026 national commemoration.