Which organization, commonly called America250, was established by Congress in 2016?

The organization commonly called America250 is the United States Semiquincentennial Commission, established by Congress in 2016.

The commission is a nonpartisan congressional body created to plan and coordinate the nationwide commemoration of the 250th anniversary of American independence. Its work connects federal agencies, states, territories, tribal nations, communities, museums, schools, and private organizations.

America250 is a public-facing shorthand rather than the commission’s full legal name. The “250” refers to the number of years between 1776 and 2026, while “America” identifies the national scope of the celebration.

The commission should not be confused with the American Revolution Bicentennial Commission, which Congress created in 1966 to plan the 1976 anniversary. In 2025, a separate White House task force was also established to support birthday-related planning, but the congressional commission remains the organization formally known as America250.