Which earlier national anniversary did the 1976 United States Bicentennial mark before America250?

The 1976 United States Bicentennial marked the country’s 200th anniversary before America250.

The Bicentennial commemorated 200 years since the Declaration of Independence in 1776. It was celebrated across the United States with parades, exhibitions, concerts, historical programs, fireworks, and specially marked consumer products and postage stamps.

America250 follows the same independence-based timeline but adds another 50 years. The arithmetic is straightforward: 1776 plus 200 equals 1976, while 1776 plus 250 equals 2026. Both anniversaries use July 4 as their central national date.

The Bicentennial is sometimes remembered through its distinctive red, white, and blue logo and broad public participation. It should not be confused with the 1975 celebrations connected to the start of the Revolutionary War or the 1787 Constitution.