Which congressional organization was established in 2016 to plan America250?

The United States Semiquincentennial Commission was established in 2016 to plan America250.

Congress created the commission as a nonpartisan organization responsible for coordinating national activities connected with the 250th anniversary of American independence. Its work includes encouraging federal, state, local, educational, and cultural participation.

The commission is distinct from the America250 nonprofit supporting organization, although the two are closely associated in public-facing programs. The name America250 became the recognizable brand for the broader effort.

The commission’s planning began a decade before July 4, 2026. That long preparation reflects the scale of a national anniversary involving commemorative programs, educational initiatives, public events, partnerships, and historical interpretation across the United States.