What term does America250 use for the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence?

The term for the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence is the semiquincentennial.

The word combines “semi,” meaning half, with “quin,” referring to five, and “centennial,” meaning a 100-year anniversary. Together, the term denotes half of 500 years, or 250 years.

America250 uses “United States Semiquincentennial” as the formal name for the national commemoration of the country’s 250th anniversary in 2026. The event marks the anniversary of American independence in 1776.

The term can be confused with “sesquicentennial,” which means 150 years, and “bicentennial,” which means 200 years. “Tercentennial” refers to 300 years. Several other labels for a 250th anniversary exist, but semiquincentennial is the term associated with the United States’ 2026 celebration.