The United States celebrated its bicentennial in 1976, 50 years before America250.
The bicentennial marked 200 years since the Second Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Observances took place across the country and included parades, fireworks, exhibitions, historical reenactments, and Operation Sail, an international gathering of tall ships.
The national celebration culminated on July 4, 1976. President Gerald Ford participated in events, while Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip made a state visit connected with the anniversary. Philadelphia, New York City, Washington, D.C., and many other communities held major programs.
The 1976 bicentennial is the immediate predecessor to the 2026 semiquincentennial. The terms describe different elapsed periods: bi means two hundred, sesqui means one and a half hundred, and semi-quincentennial refers to 250 years. Each commemoration looked back to the events of 1776.