What was the name of the 1976 celebration marking the 200th anniversary of the United States Declaration of Independence?

The United States Bicentennial was the 1976 celebration marking the 200th anniversary of the United States Declaration of Independence.

Planning began years before 1976, and the anniversary produced nationwide ceremonies, exhibitions, parades, concerts, and special commemorative products. Philadelphia hosted major events because of its connection to the Declaration and the Constitution, while communities across the country organized their own programs.

The bicentennial also appeared in everyday American life. The United States Mint issued commemorative coins, and many public buildings, schools, and businesses displayed the red, white, and blue Bicentennial logo. The 1976 celebrations shaped later planning for the 2026 America250 observance.

A bicentennial marks 200 years, while a semiquincentennial marks 250 years. The terms describe anniversaries rather than separate founding documents. The United States Bicentennial therefore belongs to the same commemorative tradition as America250, but it celebrated a different milestone.