Where were the first members of the United States Semiquincentennial Commission sworn in?

The first members of the United States Semiquincentennial Commission were sworn in at Independence Hall in Philadelphia.

The ceremony took place on November 16, 2018, when the commission held its first organizing meeting. The gathering began the long-term planning process for the 250th anniversary celebration scheduled for 2026.

Independence Hall was a symbolic choice because the Second Continental Congress met there and adopted the Declaration of Independence in 1776. The building also hosted the Constitutional Convention, making it central to both the Declaration and the Constitution.

The initial commission included private citizens, members of Congress, and federal officials. Although America250 programming is nationwide, Philadelphia’s connection to the founding documents gives the city a particularly prominent historical role.