Which federal commission, created in 2016, organized the America250 effort?

The United States Semiquincentennial Commission, created in 2016, organized the America250 effort.

Congress established the commission through the United States Semiquincentennial Commission Act of 2016. It is a bipartisan, congressional organization intended to coordinate national observances marking the 250th anniversary of American independence. The commission’s work includes encouraging participation by states, communities, cultural institutions, and educational organizations.

America250 is the commission’s recognizable public brand, but the two names are not exactly interchangeable: America250 identifies the overall initiative, while the commission is the federal body created to guide it. A nonprofit organization also serves as the commission’s supporting secretariat.

This structure differs from the organization of the 1976 bicentennial. That earlier celebration was initially handled by the American Revolution Bicentennial Commission and later by the American Revolution Bicentennial Administration. The 2016 commission was created well before the 2026 anniversary to allow long-term planning.