Which federal body did Congress create in 2016 to plan the United States’ 250th anniversary?

Congress created the United States Semiquincentennial Commission in 2016 to plan the United States’ 250th anniversary.

The commission was established as a nonpartisan federal body tasked with helping organize and coordinate the 2026 commemoration. Its work includes encouraging national participation, developing partnerships, and connecting federal planning with state, territorial, local, and private efforts.

The commission is commonly associated with the public brand America250. That label is easier to use in outreach, but it is not the commission’s full legal name. The anniversary itself is also called the United States Semiquincentennial.

Planning began years before the milestone because a nationwide anniversary involves far more than a single ceremony. Programs can include historical education, cultural events, preservation projects, public service, and commemorations in all states and territories.