Which founding document is the central subject of the United States Semiquincentennial?

The Declaration of Independence is the central founding document commemorated by the United States Semiquincentennial.

America250 marks 250 years since the Second Continental Congress adopted the Declaration on July 4, 1776. The document announced that the Thirteen Colonies regarded themselves as free and independent states and explained their reasons for separating from Great Britain.

The Constitution and Bill of Rights are also foundational documents, but they belong to later stages of U.S. history. The Constitution was drafted in 1787, while the first ten amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, were ratified in 1791.

The Articles of Confederation formed an earlier national governing framework and took effect in 1781. America250’s central anniversary date therefore comes from the Declaration, not from the Constitution or later amendments.