Which body was created by Congress to plan the United States’ 250th-anniversary observances?

Congress created the United States Semiquincentennial Commission to plan the United States’ 250th-anniversary observances.

The commission was established by federal legislation in 2016 as a nonpartisan organization charged with coordinating national plans for the 2026 milestone. Its public-facing America250 initiative connected federal agencies, state and territory commissions, cultural organizations, businesses, and local communities.

The commission’s work included developing partnerships, promoting educational programs, supporting commemorative activities, and encouraging participation across the country. Because the anniversary concerns the entire nation, the planning structure extended beyond a single city or federal department.

The commission is distinct from the Continental Congress, which represented the colonies and later states during the Revolutionary era. It is also separate from the U.S. Semiquincentennial coinage itself, although federal legislation linked anniversary planning with special coins and other commemorative items.