Which organization was established by Congress in 2016 to coordinate the United States Semiquincentennial?

The United States Semiquincentennial Commission was established by Congress in 2016 to coordinate the national 250th-anniversary commemoration.

The commission is a nonpartisan federal organization charged with encouraging and coordinating activities connected with the anniversary. Its work includes supporting national, state, local, educational, and civic participation in America250.

The commission is distinct from private nonprofit groups, local organizing committees, and temporary event partnerships. It also differs from the United States Bicentennial Commission, which handled preparations for the 1976 200th-anniversary observance.

The 2016 founding date gave organizers a decade to plan for 2026. That long lead time reflects the scale of the anniversary: it is intended to involve communities across the country rather than a single ceremony or venue.