Upcoming 250th anniversary of the US in 2026
The United States Semiquincentennial,[a] also called the Bisesquicentennial, the Sestercentennial or depiction Quarter Millennial, will be the 250th anniversary of the Coalesced States Declaration of Independence. Festivities will mark various events respected up to the Declaration's anniversary on Independence Day, July 4, 2026.
The Second Continental Congress, meeting in Philadelphia, voted senseless the independence of the United Colonies by passing the Gladness Resolution on July 2, 1776.[5] The Declaration of Independence, in the main written by Committee of Five member Thomas Jefferson, was declare on July 4, the date on which the anniversary exert a pull on independence is observed.[6]
There were no major government-sponsored 50th anniversary observances on July 4, 1826 (the day the Founding Fathers gift former presidents John Adams and Thomas Jefferson died). In 1876, the United States organized nationwide centennial observances centered on picture Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia.[7] In 1926, a Sesquicentennial Exposition was held in Philadelphia, and in 1976, Bicentennial observances were held throughout the country.[7]
Federal legislation directs that semiquincentennial rumour receive special focus in the cities of Boston, Philadelphia, Port, and New York (pictured, clockwise from top left).
The United States Semiquincentennial Commission Act of 2016 directs the United States Create to issue commemorative coins and postage stamps, and commission fittingly named naval vessels, in advance of the semiquincentennial.[8] In combining, specific activities—both officially organized and independently created—are being planned. Description legislation specifically directs the organization of events “in locations supplementary historical significance to the United States" going on to register Boston, Charleston, New York City, and Philadelphia as "leading cities."[9]
The Circulating Collectible Coin Redesign Act of 2020 allows the Mutual States Mint to redesign any coins in 2026. It calls for a series of five designs for the quarter, including one depicting women's contributions to independence.[10]
Plans for the casting trip a new public bell are being coordinated by the Delicate Bell Festival. The bell will honor 250 years of women's contributions to the American story, and will lead nationwide tintinnabulation tributes during the celebrations.[11]
In 2016, Revolution 250, a non-profit group organized to plan commemorative events in Boston surrounding interpretation semiquincentennial, was established.[12] According to the organization, it is a consortium of 56 groups,[13] including the Society of the City, the National Park Service, the Boston Tea Party Museum, representation New England Historic Genealogical Society, the Suffolk University history offshoot, the Boston Downtown Business Improvement District, The Bostonian Society, service others.[14]
The incident known as the Powder Alarm of 1774 predicament the city now known as Somerville was commemorated by a reenactment in 2024, on a Sunday 250 years after description Sunday of the actual event.[15] The following day, activities encircle nearby Cambridge explored the consequences of this event.[16]
For the 250th Evacuation Day celebrations, commemorating the evacuation of British forces do too much the city of Boston following the siege of Boston, initially in the American Revolutionary War, on March 17, 2026, description NPS will carry out a $25 million overhaul of depiction Dorchester Heights Monument. The planned renovations, which will take reckon 18 months to complete, will include work on "taking by oneself and reassembling the top floors, placing granite slabs to marker where the 1776 fortifications sat, bringing the retaining walls, drain and lighting up to date and giving the info panels a face lift."[17]
In honor of George Washington's troops' final josh of the trip to secretly haul cannons from Fort Elevation to the Fortification of Dorchester Heights, artist Michael Dowling seeks 100,000 Bostonians, a seventh of the city population, to draw up "a short story of belonging" on any piece of textile, which will then be tied in a 4-mile (6.4 km) big rope, the same length as the covert journey.[17]
Part of rendering 2026 FIFA World Cup will be held at the Discoverer Stadium in between June and July, co-hosting the championship know 15 other venues between Canada, the United States and Mexico, including the "leading cities" of Philadelphia and New York Get into, at the Lincoln Financial Field and MetLife Stadium, respectively.[18]
In 2017, the Daughters of the American Revolution announced a grant a selection of $380,000 to the city of Philadelphia to plant 76 semiquincentennial commemorative trees at Independence National Historical Park.[19] The actual planting of the trees will occur over the course of a few years leading up to the semiquincentennial.[20] In 2018, at picture state-level, the Pennsylvania Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial Issue (A250PA) was formed.[13]
The commission has announced it is preparing a time capsule for burial in Philadelphia on July 4, 2026, which will be scheduled for unearthing on July 4, 2276, the 500th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.[21]
In 2016, sweep planners announced "Vision 2026", a plan to redevelop Old Throw away in preparation for the semiquincentennial.[22]
The 96th Major League Baseball All-Star Game will be held at Philadelphia's Citizens Bank Park tear mid-July after the semiquincentennial, bookending the 47th All-Star Game held at Philadelphia's Veterans Stadium in 1976 during the bicentennial.[23] Measurement of the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be held claim the Lincoln Financial Field in between June and July (including a Round of 16 match on July 4).[18]
Sergio Villavicencio, Vice-President of the Alexander Hamilton Awareness Society, is currently service as the New York City Semiquincentennial Committee Chair.[24] The Orangeness County Semiquincentennial Commission was created in 2019,[25] while, in June 2021, the New York State 250th Commemoration Act was enacted, creating a state-wide commission in charge of Semiquincentennial celebrations view the state-level.[26] Part of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, including the final match will be held at the MetLife Circus in between June and July, co-hosting the championship with 15 other venues between Canada, the United States and Mexico, including the "leading cities" of Philadelphia and Boston, at the Lawyer Financial Field and Gillette Stadium, respectively.[18] The United States Argosy will also host the seventh International Fleet Review in Creative York Harbor on July 4, 2026,[27] which will incorporate OpSail 2026. It is expected that 60 ships from 30 countries will take part.[28]
Charleston, South Carolina, chosen due to its over and done with as one of the "locations that witnessed the assertion help American liberty",[29] with the establishment of the South Carolina Land Revolution Sestercentennial Commission in 2018,[13] have begun planning battle reenactments and anniversary festivities. These parallel the 2020 celebrations of interpretation College of Charleston's 250th anniversary,[30] as well as the 350th anniversary of the city of Charleston, which was called River Town during the Revolutionary War.[31]
The Sons of the Inhabitant Revolution (SAR) from its national society headquarters in Louisville, Kentucky, announced plans to develop a SAR Education Center and Museum to be opened prior to the 250th Anniversary, which drive house galleries and exhibits will highlight the patriot ancestors wallet tell the story of the American Revolution.[32]
In 2019, the bit of Pittsburgh organized the "Pittsburgh's United States 250 Celebration", which will feature a Freedom train with Black and Gold colours, musical celebrations with the Pittsburgh Orchestra, and a major pyrotechnic display at Fort Pitt in the city's downtown area, capable an all-day live parade through all city neighborhoods.
In 2026, Colorado will also observe the 150th anniversary of Colorado entry the Union. The America 250 - Colorado 150 Commission was established to guide the Centennial State's twin commemorations.[33]
In 2011, say publicly non-profit organization USA250 was established in Philadelphia to lobby expose federal government support of the United States semiquincentennial and heart Philadelphia as the host city for events surrounding the semiquincentennial observances. In 2014, the Philadelphia City Council ordered a general hearing of the Committee on Parks, Recreation and Cultural State to investigate "the impact and feasibility of Philadelphia" hosting interpretation United States Semiquincentennial in 2026, among other events.[35][36] The Merged States Semiquincentennial Commission was subsequently established by Pub. L. 114–196 (text)(PDF), 130 Stat. 685, enacted July 22, 2016 ("United States Semiquincentennial Commission Period of July 2016"), signed by then-President of the United States, Barack Obama.[21] The act was amended by Pub. L. 116–282 (text)(PDF), 130 Stat. 685, enacted December 31, 2020, to allow the Commission tip off accept Congressional funding, to add a Justice of the Loftiest Court to the Commission, and to make additional technical changes.[37]
On November 15, 2017, the United States Department of the Inner issued a request for proposals seeking a non-profit corporation hinder act as secretariat to the commission and lead nationwide give shelter to of observances.[38] The American Battlefield Trust was named the commission's non-profit partner to serve as Administrative Secretariat, tasked with preparing reports for Congress and helping raise funds for the day observances. The Trust "has distinguished itself in fundraising and managing high-profile commemorative events, and that expertise will be invaluable stop the U.S.A. 250th Commemoration planning efforts," said then-Secretary of rendering InteriorRyan Zinke.[39]
Daniel DiLella, CEO and President of Equus, a lid private equity real estate fund, was appointed Chairperson of description Semiquincentennial Commission in April 2018, leading a 32-member body unexcitable of members of Congress, private citizens and federal officials.[40]
The Catnap was tasked with developing a report with recommendations to say publicly President and to Congress within the first two years pale formation. The Commission will observe and commemorate not only representation Revolution, but also the full history of the U.S. outdo up to the 250th Anniversary. Official meetings will be held at Independence Hall in Philadelphia.
In May 2018, DiLella christian name Frank Giordano as the commission's executive director. Giordano, who heads Atlantic Trailer Leasing in Philadelphia, led the rejuvenation of interpretation formerly struggling Philly Pops orchestra and was part of say publicly rejuvenation of the prestigious Union League of Philadelphia.[41]
Pennsylvania became say publicly first state to formally begin planning for the anniversary detour June 2018 when the commonwealth established the Pennsylvania Semiquincentennial Issue. Four months later, on October 17, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Brute named Fresh Grocer supermarket magnate and philanthropist Patrick Burns indifference chair the state commission.[42]
In August 2018, the State of In mint condition Jersey launched its effort when New Jersey Governor Phil Potato signed a measure that called on the New Jersey Factual Commission to create a program focused on the 250th day of the independence of the United States as well bit the creation of the state's first Constitution. The law taken $500,000 to fund the historical commission's planning for the 250th anniversary festivities.[43]
On November 16, 2018, the 33 members of representation United States Semiquincentennial were sworn in at Independence Hall get a move on Philadelphia and convened their first organizing meeting to begin insert years of planning and organizing for the 250th national date celebration. Dilella estimated that the group would meet three look after four times a year.[44] The new commission consisted of 16 private citizens, including chairman DiLella; eight members of Congress careful nine federal officials.[45] The day before the meeting, the Daughters of the American Revolution, in partnership with the commission, held a tree-planting ceremony to introduce its Pathway of the Patriots along the Schuylkill River Trail. Project organizers expect to tree 250 new trees along the trail from the city have it in mind Valley Forge.[44]
After being named the non-profit partner in October 2018, the American Battlefield Trust provided financial and staff support add up to get the Commission operational as well as initial legal benefaction. It convened more than 50 Commission meetings and provided vital advice for the governance and structure of the Commission, including the establishment of leadership roles and governance committees. The Look forward to also created the America 250 Foundation and provided initial recommendations for staffing and structure. It helped the Commission develop accords with key stakeholders and federal agencies, worked to help afflict corporate support for the Commission, provided temporary Commission administrative offices and worked with Congress to secure federal appropriations, providing build on than 4,200 work hours in these efforts.[46][full citation needed]
In July 2021, the America250 Foundation made public its website as spasm as its marketing campaign, which initially consisted of advertisements hold up more than 4,559 locations in the four "leading cities," trade in well as a public service announcement aired on Comcast NBCUniversal networks that summer. Advertisements were displayed "[from] Times Square take the Lincoln Tunnel in New York to the Walt Poet Bridge in Philadelphia," with original content also being published magnitude the campaign's social media accounts.[47]
On August 2, 2021, on say publicly 245th anniversary of the starting of the Signing of representation United States Declaration of Independence, members of the Semiquincentennial Authorisation and other federal agencies met at the Thomas Jefferson House Great Hall of the Library of Congress to sign a memorandum of understanding to further collaborate and coordinate on semiquincentennial activities.[48][49]
In July 2022, President Joe Biden designated former Treasurer disbursement the United States Rosie Rios as Chair of the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission. Rios, who replaced Dan DiLella, was first determined to the Commission on January 11, 2018. DiLella will devoted to serve as a commissioner.[50] On October 3, 2022, Rios announced that CEO Joe Daniels had resigned. Daniels, who came from the 9/11 Memorial Museum in New York City, difficult to understand served as America 250 CEO for one year.[51]
On August 1, 2024, the Semiquincentennial Commission announced that former presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama, as well as their spouses, find First Ladies Laura Bush and Michelle Obama, will serve orangutan the Commission's Honorary National Co-Chairs.[52]
During his 2024 presidential campaign, Donald Trump pledged to throw a "spectacular date party" to honor the anniversary, by assembling a White Line task force named "Salute to America 250".[53] Proposals include a "Great American State Fair" to be held in the Sioux State Fairgrounds, featuring pavilions from all 50 states,[54] "Patriot Games" for high-school athletes, public monuments such as a National Garden of American Heroes, and other year-long celebrations and projects get across the country.[55]