Gerald Ford was president during the 1976 United States Bicentennial, America250’s 200-year predecessor.
Ford was president from August 1974 until January 1977, so he oversaw the Bicentennial’s final preparations and its main year of celebrations. He addressed the public during the eve of the Bicentennial Year and participated in major observances in Boston, Concord, Washington, and Philadelphia.
Ford also presided over the nationally televised July 4, 1976 celebrations in Washington, including a major fireworks display. His administration treated the anniversary as a national commemoration involving local communities rather than a single central festival.
A common mix-up is Jimmy Carter, who became president in January 1977 after defeating Ford in the 1976 election. Richard Nixon was president when many early Bicentennial plans were being debated, but he resigned in 1974.