The United States Bicentennial was celebrated in 1976, before America250.
The Bicentennial marked 200 years since the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Its central anniversary date was July 4, 1976, exactly two centuries after the Second Continental Congress adopted the Declaration.
The 1976 observance included ceremonies, exhibitions, parades, historical programs, and special national symbols. The American Freedom Train toured the country from 1975 to 1976, carrying historical artifacts and visiting communities across the United States.
America250 follows the same anniversary sequence: 1776 plus 250 years produces 2026. The two celebrations are separated by 50 years, making the 1976 Bicentennial an important reference point for planners and historians. The 2026 observance is not the 250th anniversary of every American institution; it primarily commemorates independence and the Declaration.