The United States Marks 250 Years Since Its Declaration of Independence

The 250th anniversary of the adoption of the United States Declaration of Independence arrived on July 4, 2026, marking two and a half centuries since the Second Continental Congress voted to dissolve political ties with Great Britain. In 1776, delegates assembled in Philadelphia adopted Richard Henry Lee's independence resolution on July 2 before approving the final text of the declaration, drafted largely by Thomas Jefferson, two days later. The resulting national milestone prompted nationwide commemorations, continuing a tradition that had previously seen modest observances during the 1826 semicentennial, large-scale international expositions in Philadelphia in 1876 and 1926, and broad community programs across the country during the 1976 bicentennial.

Federal preparation for the semiquincentennial began a full decade in advance when Congress passed the United States Semiquincentennial Commission Act of 2016. Signed by President Barack Obama, the legislation established a nonpartisan commission known as America250. The panel was tasked with planning observances highlighting American history, focusing on key historical hubs such as Boston, Philadelphia, New York City, and Charleston. Early groundwork included private partnerships with organizations like the Daughters of the American Revolution and the American Battlefield Trust, as well as educational programs such as America's Field Trip and a national volunteering campaign called America Gives.