Barack Obama signed the United States Semiquincentennial Commission Act of 2016, creating the federal America250 commission. He signed the legislation on July 22, 2016, during his second term as president.
The act established a congressionally appointed body to plan, encourage, develop, and coordinate celebrations of the history of the United States leading to the 250th anniversary of its founding. The commission’s work covers the national semiquincentennial observance planned for 2026.
This date is distinct from the commission’s first organizing meeting, held on November 16, 2018, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia. It is also separate from later amendments that changed the commission’s membership and funding rules. The 2016 law itself is Public Law 114–196, formally titled the United States Semiquincentennial Commission Act of 2016.