Gerald Ford was the U.S. president during the 1976 United States Bicentennial.
Ford became president on August 9, 1974, after President Richard Nixon resigned. He remained in office through July 4, 1976, when the United States marked the 200th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, and until January 20, 1977.
The Bicentennial was a nationwide series of commemorations rather than one single ceremony. Ford participated in major events, including the nationally televised fireworks display in Washington, D.C. He also traveled to New York Harbor aboard the guided-missile cruiser USS Wainwright for the International Naval Review and Operation Sail festivities.
The timing can cause confusion because the celebration stretched across several years and included plans developed under earlier administrations. The American Revolution Bicentennial Commission was created in 1966, while the American Revolution Bicentennial Administration coordinated many activities from 1973 through 1976. Ford’s presidency therefore covered the culminating anniversary year, just as America250’s 2026 events will occur under the president serving at that time.