What term does America250 use for the United States’ 250th anniversary in 2026?

America250 uses the term “Semiquincentennial” for the United States’ 250th anniversary in 2026.

The word combines Latin- and Greek-derived parts referring to half of 500, or 250. It is less familiar than “centennial,” meaning 100th anniversary, and “bicentennial,” meaning 200th anniversary. Other labels, including “sestercentennial” and “quarter millennium,” have also appeared, but Semiquincentennial is the principal modern name used for the 2026 commemoration.

The anniversary marks 250 years since the Second Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. America250 is the national initiative associated with the United States Semiquincentennial, with programs involving historical education, public events, volunteering, and cultural projects.

The term should not be confused with “sesquicentennial,” which describes a 150th anniversary. The United States’ 150th anniversary was commemorated in 1926, while its 200th anniversary was celebrated during the 1976 Bicentennial.