What was the 1976 national anniversary called that preceded America250?

The 1976 national anniversary that preceded America250 was the United States Bicentennial.

The bicentennial marked 200 years since the Declaration of Independence and was celebrated across the country. It included parades, exhibitions, public ceremonies, historical programs, and special commemorative objects, including redesigned circulating coins.

The United States Bicentennial coinage featured special reverses for the quarter, half dollar, and dollar. The quarter showed a colonial drummer, the half dollar showed Independence Hall, and the dollar showed the Liberty Bell superimposed against the Moon.

America250 follows the same sequence of anniversary terminology. The 1976 bicentennial celebrated 200 years, while the 2026 semiquincentennial celebrates 250. The next major national anniversary in this sequence will be the tricentennial in 2076.