Which congressional body was created in 2016 to plan America’s 250th anniversary?

The United States Semiquincentennial Commission was created in 2016 to plan America’s 250th anniversary.

Congress established the commission through the United States Semiquincentennial Commission Act, signed into law in July 2016. Its purpose was to encourage and coordinate nationwide observances of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States.

The commission is a congressional, nonpartisan organization, commonly associated with the name America250. Its responsibilities include promoting educational programs, supporting commemorative projects, and coordinating with federal, state, local, tribal, territorial, and private partners.

The commission should not be confused with the White House Task Force on Celebrating America’s 250th Birthday, which was created later. The commission also differs from the federal bodies that organized earlier milestone celebrations, including the Bicentennial in 1976.