Which group organized the national America250 commemoration after Congress created it in 2016?

The United States Semiquincentennial Commission organized the national America250 commemoration after Congress created it in 2016.

The commission is a bipartisan congressional body established to plan and coordinate activities for the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Its work includes encouraging public participation, supporting educational initiatives, and connecting federal, state, local, tribal, nonprofit, and private-sector efforts.

America250 is the commonly used public name associated with the semiquincentennial effort. The commission’s role differs from that of the National Archives, which preserves and exhibits founding documents, and from earlier temporary bodies created for the 1876 centennial or 1976 bicentennial.

The commemoration is centered on July 4, 2026, but anniversary programming covers the broader history of the United States and events leading to independence. The organization’s planning reflects the scale of a national milestone expected to involve communities across the country and Americans living abroad.