{{Short description|250th anniversary of the US on July 4, 2026}} {{Distinguish|Freedom 250}} {{Use American English|date=August 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=August 2025}} {{Infobox recurring event | name = United States Semiquincentennial | logo_alt = The America250 logo: Text stating "AMERICA" above a red, white, and blue ribbon shaped into the number 250 | image = America250 logo.svg{{!}}class=skin-invert | image_size = 190px | date = {{Start date and age|July 4, 2026}} | location = United States | prev = Bicentennial (1976) | next = Tricentennial (2076) | activity = 250th anniversary of the Second Continental Congress adopting the Declaration of Independence <!-- Do not add Donald Trump as the "leader" of the Semiquincentennial. He does not formally control all the organizations planning federal activities. -->| organized = *United States Semiquincentennial Commission, America250 (congressional, non-partisan organization established in 2016)<ref name="Daher 2025"/> * White House Task Force on Celebrating America's 250th Birthday (White House organization established in 2025)<ref name="Daher 2025"/> | website = {{URL|https://america250.org/}} }}
The '''United States Semiquincentennial''',{{Efn|Refers to "half (semi) of five (quin) of a century," an alternative of which is ''Bicenquinquagenary'' which comes from two (bi), hundred (cen(t)) and fifty (quinquagen).<ref>{{Cite news |title=USA 250 the Semiquincentennial just 8 years away |url=https://www.boston25news.com/news/politics/usa-250-the-semiquincentennial-just-8-years-away/782641491/#:~:text=Some%20towns%20and,to%20250%20years. |last=Dupree |first=Jamie |date=July 4, 2018 |access-date=April 17, 2022 |work=Boston 25 News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220417150415/https://www.boston25news.com/news/politics/usa-250-the-semiquincentennial-just-8-years-away/782641491/ |archive-date=April 17, 2022}}</ref>
|name=half-fivename|group=lower-alpha}} also called the '''Bisesquicentennial''', the '''Sestercentennial''', or the '''Quarter Millennium''', will be the 250th anniversary of the United States Declaration of Independence. Festivities will mark various events leading up to the Declaration's anniversary on the 250th Independence Day: July 4, 2026.
Official planning for the celebrations began in 2016 with the congressional, non-partisan United States Semiquincentennial Commission ('''America250'''). In 2025, federal resources were diverted to the Donald Trump-aligned White House Task Force on Celebrating America's 250th Birthday to promote and plan new events. Celebrations began with the United States Army 250th Anniversary Parade on June 14, 2025,<ref name="Daher 2025"/> with America250 events formally starting on July 3, 2025.<ref name="Superville 07032025"/><ref name="Daher 2025"/>
Planned festivities include commemorative coinage, UFC Freedom 250 at the White House, a "'''Great American State Fair'''" at the National Mall, OpSail 2026, a Times Square Ball drop, and the Freedom 250 Grand Prix around the National Mall. Part of the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be held across the United States, with matches in Philadelphia and Houston on the date of the Semiquincentennial.
==Background== [[File:Independence Hall.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|The Declaration of Independence was signed in Independence Hall in Philadelphia in 1776.]] The Second Continental Congress, meeting in Philadelphia, voted for the independence of the United Colonies by passing the Lee Resolution on July 2, 1776.<ref>{{cite web |date=June 1, 2005 |title=Did You Know... Independence Day Should Actually Be July 2? |url=https://www.archives.gov/press/press-releases/2005/nr05-83.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200205014734/https://www.archives.gov/press/press-releases/2005/nr05-83.html |archive-date=February 5, 2020 |access-date=May 21, 2020 |website=archives.gov |publisher=National Archives and Records Administration}}</ref> The Declaration of Independence, mainly written by Committee of Five member Thomas Jefferson, was proclaimed on July 4, the date on which the anniversary of independence is observed.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Declaration of Independence, 1776 |url=https://history.state.gov/milestones/1776-1783/declaration |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171115041028/https://history.state.gov/milestones/1776-1783/declaration |archive-date=November 15, 2017 |access-date=May 20, 2018 |website=Office of the Historian |publisher=United States Department of State}}</ref>
There were no major government-sponsored 50th anniversary observances on July 4, 1826, which was the day that the Founding Fathers and former presidents John Adams and Thomas Jefferson both died. In 1876, the United States organized nationwide centennial observances centered on the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia,<ref name="stu">{{cite news |last1=Bykofsky |first1=Stu |date=April 28, 2017 |title=Can Philly handle the Semiquincentennial? |work=Philadelphia Inquirer |publisher=The Lenfest Institute |url=http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/stu_bykofsky/Can-Philly-handle-the-Semiquincentennial.html |access-date=May 20, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180511075123/http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/stu_bykofsky/Can-Philly-handle-the-Semiquincentennial.html |archive-date=May 11, 2018 |issn=0885-6613}}</ref> in 1926, a Sesquicentennial Exposition was held in Philadelphia, and in 1976, bicentennial observances were held throughout the country.<ref name="stu"/>
==Organization== thumb|200px|Flag of United States Semiquincentennial Celebrations are organized by two main organizations at the federal level: the non-partisan congressional America250 Commission created in 2016 and backed by a nonprofit; and the White House Task Force on Celebrating America's 250th Birthday, chaired by Donald Trump and established via an executive order in 2025.<ref name="Daher 2025">{{Cite news|last=Daher|first=Natalie|date=July 4, 2025|title=America's nonstop birthday party|work=Axios|url=https://www.axios.com/2025/07/04/americas-250-birthday-festivities-trump|url-access=subscription|access-date=July 4, 2025}}</ref>
The America 250 Civics Education Coalition will develop civics education programming to celebrate the semiquincentennial. The nonprofit America First Policy Institute will lead the coalition of more than 40 conservative organizations, including Turning Point USA, the Heritage Foundation, and Hillsdale College, with oversight from the Department of Education.<ref>{{cite news |last= Carrillo|first= Sequoia|date= September 17, 2025|title= U.S. Education Dept. Unites Conservative Groups to Create 'Patriotic' Civics Content|url= https://www.npr.org/2025/09/17/nx-s1-5544582/u-s-education-dept-unites-conservative-groups-to-create-patriotic-civics-content|work= NPR|location= |publisher= |access-date=September 21, 2025}}</ref>
==Activities and observances== {{Primary sources|section|date=July 2025}} {{multiple image | perrow = 2 | total_width = 300 | align = right | footer = Federal legislation directs that semiquincentennial events receive special focus in the cities of Boston, Philadelphia, Charleston, and New York (''pictured, clockwise from top left'') | image1 = Massachusetts State House.jpg | width1 = 150 | image2 = City Hall and Masonic Temple, Philadelphia.jpg | width2 = 150 | image3 = Federal_Hall_and_George_Washington_statue_in_New_York_City.JPG | width3 = 150 | image4 = Customs_House_-_2013.jpg | width4 = 150 }} The United States Semiquincentennial Commission Act of 2016 directs the United States Government to issue commemorative coins and postage stamps, and commission appropriately named naval vessels, in advance of the semiquincentennial.<ref>{{cite news |date=November 17, 2016 |title=Sen. Shaheen will bring NH's voice |work=Nashua Telegraph |publisher=Ogden Newspapers |url=http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/opinion/editorials/2016/11/17/sen-shaheen-will-bring-nh-8217s-voice/ |access-date=May 20, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180522041241/http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/opinion/editorials/2016/11/17/sen-shaheen-will-bring-nh-8217s-voice/ |archive-date=May 22, 2018 |oclc=22532489}}</ref> In addition, specific activities—both officially organized and independently created—are being planned. The legislation specifically directs the organization of events "in locations of historical significance to the United States" going on to list Boston, Philadelphia, New York City, and Charleston, South Carolina, as "leading cities".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Herman |first1=Ken |date=August 3, 2016 |title=Can you say semiquincentennial? |work=Austin American Statesman |publisher=Gannett |url=https://www.mystatesman.com/news/opinion/herman-can-you-say-semiquincentennial/yMOMICGcrpZ6SfxJm4v1oO/ |access-date=May 21, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180522112511/https://www.mystatesman.com/news/opinion/herman-can-you-say-semiquincentennial/yMOMICGcrpZ6SfxJm4v1oO/ |archive-date=May 22, 2018 |issn=1553-8451}}</ref>
The Circulating Collectible Coin Redesign Act of 2020 allows the United 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.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 28, 2019 |title=As Part of Women's History Month, Reps. Lee & Gonzalez Lead Bipartisan Effort to Issue Quarters Honoring Prominent American Women {{!}} Barbara Lee - Congresswoman for the 13th District of California |url=https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/as-part-of-womens-history-month-reps-lee-and-gonzalez-lead-bipartisan-effort-to-issue-quarters-honoring-prominent-american-women |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201209214135/https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/as-part-of-womens-history-month-reps-lee-and-gonzalez-lead-bipartisan-effort-to-issue-quarters-honoring-prominent-american-women |archive-date=December 9, 2020 |access-date=January 16, 2021 |website=lee.house.gov |publisher=United States House of Representatives}}</ref> 2025 changes by the second Trump administration ignored recommendations by the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee and removed coins celebrating abolition, women's suffrage and the civil rights movement as part of a campaign against "wokeness".<ref>{{Cite news|last=Barry|first=Dan|date=December 14, 2025|title=The War on 'Wokeness' Comes to the U.S. Mint|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/14/us/coins-us-250th-anniversary.html|access-date=January 1, 2026|url-access=subscription}}</ref>
Plans for the casting of a new public bell are being coordinated by the National Bell Festival. The bell will honor 250 years of women's contributions to U.S. history,{{vague|date=October 2025}} and will lead nationwide ringing tributes during the celebrations.<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 2, 2023 |title=U.S. Semiquincentennial Bell |url=https://www.bells.org/us-semiquincentennial-bell |access-date=July 26, 2023 |website=National Bell Festival |language=en}}</ref>
=== Leading cities === ==== Boston ==== In 2016, Revolution 250, a non-profit group organized to plan commemorative events in Boston surrounding the semiquincentennial, was established.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Taylor |first1=Karen Cord |date=January 28, 2016 |title=Downtown View: Sestercentennial |work=Beacon Hill Times |url=http://beaconhilltimes.com/2016/01/28/downtown-viewsestercentennial/ |access-date=May 21, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327012707/http://beaconhilltimes.com/2016/01/28/downtown-viewsestercentennial/ |archive-date=March 27, 2019}}</ref> According to the organization, it is a consortium of 56 groups,<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=July 2019 |title=United States 250th Anniversary Annual Report July 2019 |url=http://download.aaslh.org/USA+250/2019+USA+250.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201113052135/http://download.aaslh.org/USA+250/2019+USA+250.pdf |archive-date=November 13, 2020 |access-date=April 10, 2022 |website=American Association for State and Local History }}</ref> including the Society of the Cincinnati, the National Park Service, the Boston Tea Party Museum, the New England Historic Genealogical Society, the Suffolk University history department, the Boston Downtown Business Improvement District, The Bostonian Society, and others.<ref>{{cite web |title=Membership |url=https://revolution250.org/membership/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200814023226/https://revolution250.org/membership/ |archive-date=August 14, 2020 |access-date=May 21, 2018 |website=revolution250.org |publisher=Revolution 250}}</ref>
[[File:Redcoats PowderAlarm 250.jpg|thumb|Re-enactors portraying the 4th Regiment of Foot marching to the Old Powder House for the 250th anniversary commemoration, September 2024]]
The incident known as the Powder Alarm of 1774 in the city now known as Somerville was commemorated by a reenactment in 2024, on a Sunday 250 years after the Sunday of the actual event.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-08-29 |title=How a revolt in Somerville helped spark the American Revolution |url=https://www.wbur.org/radioboston/2024/08/29/powder-alarm-somerville-american-revolution-revolt |access-date=2024-09-02 |website=www.wbur.org |language=en |archive-date=September 2, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240902232009/https://www.wbur.org/radioboston/2024/08/29/powder-alarm-somerville-american-revolution-revolt |url-status=live }}</ref> The following day, activities in nearby Cambridge explored the consequences of this event.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-08-30 |title=Free Events Commemorating 250th Anniversary of Powder Alarm in Somerville and Cambridge Sept. 1-2 |url=https://www.cambridgema.gov/news/2024/08/freeeventscommemorating250thanniversaryofpowderalarminsomervilleandcambridge |access-date=2024-09-02 |website=www.cambridgema.gov |language=en}}</ref>
For the 250th Evacuation Day celebrations, commemorating the evacuation of British forces from the city of Boston following the siege of Boston, early in the American Revolutionary War, on March 17, 2026, the NPS will carry out a $25 million overhaul of the Dorchester Heights Monument. The planned renovations, which will take approximately 18 months to complete, will include work on "taking apart and reassembling the top floors, placing granite slabs to mark where the 1776 fortifications sat, bringing the retaining walls, drainage and lighting up to date and giving the info panels a face lift."<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |last=Cotter |first=Sean Philip |date=March 17, 2022 |title=$25M Boston Evacuation Day monument overhaul, art project planned for 250th anniversary |work=Boston Herald |publisher=Digital First Media |url=https://www.bostonherald.com/2022/03/17/25m-boston-evacuation-day-monument-overhaul-art-project-planned-for-250th-anniversary/ |access-date=April 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220318200112/https://www.bostonherald.com/2022/03/17/25m-boston-evacuation-day-monument-overhaul-art-project-planned-for-250th-anniversary/ |archive-date=March 18, 2022 |issn=0738-5854}}</ref>
In honor of George Washington's troops' final leg of the trip to secretly haul cannons from Fort Hill to the Fortification of Dorchester Heights, artist Michael Dowling seeks 100,000 Bostonians, a seventh of the city population, to write "a short story of belonging" on any piece of cloth, which will then be tied in a {{Convert|4|mile|adj=on}} long rope, the same length as the covert journey.<ref name=":2" />
Part of the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be held at Gillette Stadium 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 New York City, at the Lincoln Financial Field and MetLife Stadium, respectively.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=MLSsoccer staff |date=June 16, 2022 |title=FIFA names 16 host cities for the 2026 World Cup |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/fifa-names-the-16-host-cities-for-the-2026-world-cup |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220616222326/https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/fifa-names-the-16-host-cities-for-the-2026-world-cup |archive-date=June 16, 2022 |access-date=June 19, 2022 |website=Major League Soccer}}</ref>
As part of America 250 celebrations in 2026, Boston Irish Tourism Association created a Revolutionary Irish Trail of public landmarks that chronicle the role of the Irish and Scots-Irish in the American Revolution. <ref>{{cite web |website=Boston Irish Tourism Association |title=Revolutionary Irish Trail |url=https://irishboston.org/revirishtrail/ |access-date=April 16, 2026 |archive-date=April 25, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260425212328/https://irishboston.org/revirishtrail/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
==== Philadelphia ==== In 2017, the Daughters of the American Revolution announced a grant of $380,000 to the city of Philadelphia to plant 76 semiquincentennial commemorative trees at Independence National Historical Park.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bykofsky |first1=Stu |date=June 27, 2017 |title=Philly gets money from DAR for semiquincentennial trees |work=The Philadelphia Inquirer |url=http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/stu_bykofsky/philly-gets-for-semiquincentennial-trees-20170627.html |access-date=May 20, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180521191745/http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/stu_bykofsky/philly-gets-for-semiquincentennial-trees-20170627.html |archive-date=May 21, 2018 |issn=0885-6613}}</ref> The actual planting of the trees will occur over the course of several years leading up to the semiquincentennial.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Crimmins |first1=Peter |date=November 8, 2017 |title=76 trees to be planted in Independence Park |work=WHYY-FM |url=https://whyy.org/articles/76-trees-lead-big-parade-toward-countrys-250th-birthday-2026/ |access-date=April 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022035646/https://whyy.org/articles/76-trees-lead-big-parade-toward-countrys-250th-birthday-2026/ |archive-date=October 22, 2020}}</ref> In 2018, at the state-level, the Pennsylvania Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial Commission (A250PA) was formed.<ref name=":1" />
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.<ref name="nara"/>
In 2016, city planners announced "Vision 2026", a plan to redevelop Old City in preparation for the semiquincentennial.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Tanenbaum |first1=Michael |date=April 3, 2016 |title=Old City District presents Vision 2026 development goals |work=Philly Voice |url=http://www.phillyvoice.com/old-city-district-presents-vision-2026-development-goals/ |access-date=May 21, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180522111817/http://www.phillyvoice.com/old-city-district-presents-vision-2026-development-goals/ |archive-date=May 22, 2018}}</ref>
The 96th Major League Baseball All-Star Game will be held at Philadelphia's Citizens Bank Park in mid-July after the semiquincentennial, echoing the 47th All-Star Game held at Philadelphia's Veterans Stadium in 1976 during the bicentennial.<ref>{{cite news |last=Henninger |first=Danya |date=April 17, 2019 |title=Why the MLB All-Star Game in Philly was announced 7 years early |work=BillyPenn.com |url=https://billypenn.com/2019/04/16/why-the-mlb-all-star-game-in-philly-was-announced-7-years-early/ |access-date=April 17, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190417174429/https://billypenn.com/2019/04/16/why-the-mlb-all-star-game-in-philly-was-announced-7-years-early/ |archive-date=April 17, 2019}}</ref> Part of the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be held at the Lincoln Financial Field in between June and July (including a Round of 16 match on July 4).<ref name=":3" /> Additionally, the 2026 PGA Championship will be held in May at Aronimink Golf Club in the Philadelphia suburb of Newtown Square, Pennsylvania.
==== New York ==== Sergio Villavicencio, Vice-President of the Alexander Hamilton Awareness Society, is currently serving as the New York City Semiquincentennial Committee Chair.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Merzlyakov |first=Vladimir |date=January 11, 2020 |title=Happy Birthday Hamilton! 2020 |url=https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/event-details.htm?id=DA09FF86-CE7C-D7BC-70F350FA652725E2 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220410154326/https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/event-details.htm?id=DA09FF86-CE7C-D7BC-70F350FA652725E2 |archive-date=April 10, 2022 |access-date=April 10, 2022 |website=National Park Service}}</ref> The Orange County Semiquincentennial Commission was created in 2019,<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 4, 2019 |title=Yaun Named Chair of Semiquincentennial Commission |work=Hudson Valley Press |url=https://hudsonvalleypress.com/2019/09/04/yaun-named-chair-of-semiquincentennial-commission/ |access-date=April 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220410154916/https://hudsonvalleypress.com/2019/09/04/yaun-named-chair-of-semiquincentennial-commission/ |archive-date=April 10, 2022}}</ref> while, in June 2021, the New York State 250th Commemoration Act was enacted, creating a state-wide commission in charge of Semiquincentennial celebrations at the state-level.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Willard |first=Lucas |date=June 18, 2021 |title=NYS Bill Forms Commission To Plan For America's 250th Birthday |work=WAMC |url=https://www.wamc.org/new-york-news/2021-06-18/nys-bill-forms-commission-to-plan-for-americas-250th-birthday |access-date=April 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220410153849/https://www.wamc.org/new-york-news/2021-06-18/nys-bill-forms-commission-to-plan-for-americas-250th-birthday |archive-date=April 10, 2022}}</ref> Part of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, including the final match will be held at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey 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 Lincoln Financial Field and Gillette Stadium, respectively.<ref name=":3" /> In December 2025, it was announced that the Times Square ball drop on New Year's Eve would feature a collaboration with the Semiquincentennial Commission to launch America250, and that a special one-off edition of the event would take place on July 3, 2026 to count down to midnight on July 4.<ref>{{Cite web |last=FrishbergShare |first=Hannah |date=2025-12-26 |title=New Year's Eve bash in Times Square to commemorate America's 250th birthday |url=https://gothamist.com/news/new-years-eve-bash-in-times-square-will-feature-second-ball-drop |access-date=2026-01-01 |website=Gothamist |language=en |archive-date=December 31, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251231150614/https://gothamist.com/news/new-years-eve-bash-in-times-square-will-feature-second-ball-drop |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Times Square planning a 'surprise' post-midnight moment after the ball drop |url=https://kfor.com/news/times-square-planning-a-surprise-post-midnight-moment-after-the-ball-drop/ |access-date=2026-01-01 |website=PIX 11 News |publisher=Nexstar Media Group |via=KFOR-TV |archive-date=January 12, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260112211936/https://kfor.com/news/times-square-planning-a-surprise-post-midnight-moment-after-the-ball-drop/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQEfsw1DWCE |title=America 250 Video & Ball in Times Square |date=2025-12-31 |last= |publisher=C-SPAN |access-date=2026-01-04 |via=YouTube |archive-date=January 4, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260104183829/https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=lQEfsw1DWCE |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":12">{{Cite web |title=2026 numerals lifted above Times Square |url=https://ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/news/2025/12/26/2026-numerals-lifted-above-times-square |access-date=2026-01-01 |website=NY1 |language=en}}</ref>
The United States Navy will also host the seventh International Fleet Review in New York Harbor on July 4, 2026,<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.mynavyhr.navy.mil/Portals/55/Messages/NAVADMIN/NAV2023/NAV23219.txt | format=TXT | title=The 250th birthdays of the Navy and the United States of America | website=www.mynavyhr.navy.mil | date=2023-03-03 | access-date=March 22, 2024 | archive-date=February 6, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240206094217/https://www.mynavyhr.navy.mil/Portals/55/Messages/NAVADMIN/NAV2023/NAV23219.txt | url-status=live }}</ref> which will incorporate OpSail 2026. It is expected that 60 ships from 30 countries will take part.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.audacy.com/1010wins/news/local/ny-nj-welcome-tall-ship-flotilla-nations-250th-birthday | title=COMING TO AMERICA: NY, NJ to welcome largest-ever tall ship flotilla for nation's 250th birthday | date=March 20, 2024 }}</ref>
==== Charleston, South Carolina ==== Charleston, South Carolina, chosen due to its past as one of the "locations that witnessed the assertion of American liberty",<ref>{{Cite web |publisher=114th Congress |date=July 22, 2016 |title=PUBLIC LAW 114–196—JULY 22, 2016 130 STAT. 685 |url=https://www.congress.gov/114/plaws/publ196/PLAW-114publ196.pdf |access-date=March 8, 2023 |website=congress.gov |archive-date=March 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230309012548/https://www.congress.gov/114/plaws/publ196/PLAW-114publ196.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> with the establishment of the South Carolina American Revolution Sestercentennial Commission in 2018,<ref name=":1" /> has begun planning battle reenactments and anniversary festivities. These parallel the 2020 celebrations of the College of Charleston's 250th anniversary,<ref>{{Cite web |title=CofC 250 - College of Charleston 250 |url=https://250.cofc.edu/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028060738/https://250.cofc.edu/ |archive-date=October 28, 2020 |access-date=April 10, 2022 |website=College of Charleston}}</ref> as well as the 350th anniversary of the city of Charleston, which was called Charles Town during the Revolutionary War.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Charleston's 350th Commemoration {{!}} The Post and Co |url=https://www.postandcourier.com/350/about/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201118023146/https://www.postandcourier.com/350/about/ |archive-date=November 18, 2020 |access-date=April 10, 2022 |website=The Post and Courier |publisher=Evening Post Industries}}</ref>
===Other places=== ==== Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton ==== Camp Pendleton in California had a "live-fire Amphibious Capabilities" demonstration on October 18, 2025, that celebrated the Marine Corps' 250th birthday and the semiquincentennial.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Vazquez |first=Maegan |date=2025-10-16 |title=Trump administration, Newsom feud over planned live-fire military event |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/10/16/marines-live-fire-newsom-highway/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286}}</ref> As a precaution, the California Highway Patrol closed {{convert|17|mi}} of Interstate 5 against the guidance of federal officials. During the closure, debris from an exploding shell fell on parked CHP vehicles in Vice President JD Vance's protective detail.<ref>{{cite news|title=Shrapnel fell onto CHP vehicle during U.S. military live-fire demo over I-5|first1=Melody|last1=Gutierrez|first2=Rong-Gong II|last2=Lin|work=Los Angeles Times|location=Los Angeles|date=October 19, 2025|accessdate=October 19, 2025|url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-10-19/u-s-military-live-fire-demonstration-dropped-shrapnel-on-chp-vehicle|archive-date=October 19, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251019223746/https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-10-19/u-s-military-live-fire-demonstration-dropped-shrapnel-on-chp-vehicle|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Artillery Shell Detonated Over Interstate 5 During Marines' Celebration, California Officials Say|first1=John|last1=Ismay|first2=Laurel|last2=Rosenhall|first3=Zolan|last3=Kanno-Youngs|work=The New York Times|location=New York City|date=October 19, 2025|accessdate=October 19, 2025|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/19/us/politics/shell-interstate-5-marines-california.html|archive-date=October 19, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251019211222/https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/19/us/politics/shell-interstate-5-marines-california.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
==== Louisville ==== The Sons of the American 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 will house galleries and exhibits will highlight the patriot ancestors and tell the story of the American Revolution.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sarfoundation.org/education/the-sar-museum-and-education-center/ |title=The SAR Museum and Education Center |publisher=SAR Foundation |accessdate=March 12, 2023}}</ref>
==== Pittsburgh ==== In 2019, the city of Pittsburgh organized the "Pittsburgh's United States 250 Celebration", which will feature a Freedom train with Black and Gold colors, musical celebrations with the Pittsburgh Orchestra, and a major firework display at Fort Pitt in the city's downtown area, with an all-day live parade through all city neighborhoods.{{Citation needed|date=January 2026}}
==== Denver ==== In 2026, Colorado will also observe the 150th anniversary of Colorado entering the Union. The America 250 - Colorado 150 Commission was established to guide the Centennial State's twin commemorations.<ref>{{Cite web |title=America 250 - Colorado 150 {{!}} History Colorado |url=https://www.historycolorado.org/america-250-colorado-150 |access-date=May 25, 2023 |website=www.historycolorado.org |archive-date=May 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230525191601/https://www.historycolorado.org/america-250-colorado-150 |url-status=live }}</ref>
====San Francisco==== In 2026, the San Francisco Bay Area will also observe the 250th anniversary of the founding of San Francisco, as well as the 175th anniversary of Santa Clara University.<ref>{{cite web |title=History - About SCU |url=https://www.scu.edu/aboutscu/history/ |website=Santa Clara University |access-date=17 January 2026 |archive-date=October 19, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171019220138/https://www.scu.edu/aboutscu/history/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Several events will be held in honor of the Bay Area's triple celebrations, beginning with Super Bowl LX which was held at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara on February 8, 2026 as well as part of the 2026 FIFA World Cup at the same stadium in June and July.
====Washington, D.C.==== [[File:America 250 Washington Crossing the Delaware, Washington Monument 2026-01-01 20-02-36.jpg|thumb|upright|''Washington Crossing the Delaware'' projected on the Washington Monument January 1, 2026]] On October 15, 2025, Trump proposed a Memorial Circle Arch to be built as part of celebrations to welcome people as they approach the traffic circle on Columbia Island heading towards the Arlington Memorial Bridge and into the west end of the National Mall.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Saad |first=Nardine |date=2025-10-16 |title=What we know about White House plans for an 'Arc de Trump' |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy7e8lv176go |access-date=2025-10-16 |work=BBC News |language=en-gb |archive-date=October 16, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251016062405/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy7e8lv176go |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Tsioulcas|first=Anastasia|date=October 16, 2025|title=President Trump envisions D.C. arch to mark 250th anniversary of U.S.|work=NPR|url=https://www.npr.org/2025/10/16/nx-s1-5576506/president-trump-arch-us-250th-anniversary|access-date=October 17, 2025|archive-date=October 16, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251016233954/https://www.npr.org/2025/10/16/nx-s1-5576506/president-trump-arch-us-250th-anniversary|url-status=live}}</ref> The arch would be topped by a statue personifying Liberty.
A 5,000 seat Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) arena is set to be erected on the South Lawn of the White House for UFC White House on June 14, 2026.<ref name=Dezeen>{{cite news|last=Dreith|first=Ben|url=https://www.dezeen.com/2025/09/23/white-house-ufc-arena/|archive-url=|title=UFC arena set to be built on White House lawn|date=23 September 2025|work=Dezeen}}</ref>
From December 31, 2025 to January 5, 2026, stories about how America was discovered, its independence, and future were projected on the sides of the Washington Monument.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Abedje |first1=Tadiwos |title=Washington Monument to have projection show to commemorate America's 250th birthday |url=https://wtop.com/dc/2025/12/washington-monument-to-have-projection-show-to-commemorate-americas-250th-birthday/ |work=WTOP News |publisher=WTOP |access-date=2026-01-01 |date=2025-12-30 |archive-date=December 31, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251231162708/https://wtop.com/dc/2025/12/washington-monument-to-have-projection-show-to-commemorate-americas-250th-birthday/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=George |first=Olivia |date=2025-12-31 |title=Washington Monument illuminated on New Year's Eve to mark country's 250th |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2025/12/31/washington-monument-250th-anniversary-lights/ |work=The Washington Post |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286 |archive-date=December 31, 2025 |access-date=January 2, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251231162156/https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2025/12/31/washington-monument-250th-anniversary-lights/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
The White House also sponsored the Rededicate 250 prayer gathering on May 17, 2026.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Watch Live: Watch Live: Rededicate 250 - Freedom 250 |url=https://freedom250.org/media-center |access-date=May 17, 2026 |website=freedom250.org |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=May 17, 2026 |title=First look at Rededicate 250 main stage on National Mall |url=https://www.nbcwashington.com/video/news/local/first-look-at-rededicate-250-main-stage-on-national-mall/4105395/ |access-date=May 17, 2026 |website=NBC4 Washington |language=en-US |archive-date=May 17, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260517161113/https://www.nbcwashington.com/video/news/local/first-look-at-rededicate-250-main-stage-on-national-mall/4105395/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Boorstein |first=Michelle |last2=Meckler |first2=Laura |date=May 17, 2026 |title=Trump-backed prayer festival on National Mall draws thousands: ‘We welcome Jesus!’ |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/religion/2026/05/17/thousands-expected-rededicate-250-prayer-jubilee/ |access-date=May 17, 2026 |work=The Washington Post |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286 |archive-date=May 17, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260517183804/https://www.washingtonpost.com/religion/2026/05/17/thousands-expected-rededicate-250-prayer-jubilee/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Trethan |first=Phaedra |last2=Stunson |first2=Mike |last3=Stahl |first3=Jay |date=May 17, 2026 |title=Trump, Rubio to speak as prayer event brings faithful to National Mall |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2026/05/17/rededicate-250-christian-religious-trump-national-mall/90080631007/ |access-date=May 17, 2026 |work=USA TODAY |archive-date=May 17, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260517185135/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2026/05/17/rededicate-250-christian-religious-trump-national-mall/90080631007/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
An IndyCar Series race, the Freedom 250 Grand Prix, was ordered by President Trump on January 30, 2026. It is set to be held from August 21–23 at a street course in Washington, D.C.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kapur |first1=Sahil |title=Trump orders up IndyCar race on the streets of Washington for 'America250 Grand Prix' |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/sports/auto-racing/trump-orders-indycar-race-streets-washington-america250-grand-prix-rcna256705 |website=NBC News |access-date=30 January 2026 |date=30 January 2026}}</ref>
==== Kennedy Space Center ==== [[File:Artemis II A250 logo painting image feature (KSC-20251204-PH-FMX02 0005).jpg|thumb|upright|The America 250 logo on the Space Launch System rocket boosters in December 2025]] In November 2025, technicians at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida applied the semiquincentennial logo onto the solid rocket boosters of the Space Launch System rocket for Artemis II, which would launch in April 2026 and send four astronauts around the Moon, including the first woman, Black man, and Canadian, become the first flight beyond Earth orbit since 1972, and set a record for the furthest crewed spaceflight.<ref>{{Cite web |title=NASA’s Moon Rocket Celebrates 250 Years of American Innovation - NASA |url=https://www.nasa.gov/image-article/nasas-moon-rocket-celebrates-250-years-of-american-innovation/ |access-date=2026-05-26 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=published |first=Kenna Hughes-Castleberry |date=2025-12-23 |title=Artemis 2 moon rocket gets 'America 250' paint job {{!}} Space photo of the day for Dec. 23, 2025 |url=https://www.space.com/space-exploration/artemis/artemis-2-moon-rocket-gets-america-250-paint-job-space-photo-of-the-day-for-dec-23-2025 |access-date=2026-05-26 |website=Space |language=en-US |archive-date=February 28, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260228124945/https://www.space.com/space-exploration/artemis/artemis-2-moon-rocket-gets-america-250-paint-job-space-photo-of-the-day-for-dec-23-2025 |url-status=live }}</ref>
==Planning== ===America250=== [[File:Semiquincentennial Commission Report Delivery 1.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Members of the United States Semiquincentennial Commission present vice president Mike Pence with a copy of a Congressionally-required report on January 15, 2020, at the Vice President's Ceremonial Office in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. From left to right: David L. Cohen, Senator Pat Toomey, Rosa Gumataotao Rios, Frank Giordano, executive director of the commission, Vice President Mike Pence, Chairman Daniel DiLella, Lynn Forney Young, Cathy Gillespie, Congressman Robert Aderholt, and James L. Swanson.<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 17, 2020 |title=Vice President Pence Meets With Federal Commission to Advance Plans for Nationwide America 250 Celebration In 2026 |url=https://apnews.com/press-release/business-wire/united-states-congress-86d65ef2f6fc4e44a03f075569a0002e |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220410192721/https://apnews.com/press-release/business-wire/united-states-congress-86d65ef2f6fc4e44a03f075569a0002e |archive-date=April 10, 2022 |access-date=April 10, 2022 |publisher = Associated Press}}</ref>]]
In 2011, the non-profit organization USA250 was established in Philadelphia to lobby for federal government support of the United States semiquincentennial and establish Philadelphia as the host city for events surrounding the semiquincentennial observances. In 2014, the Philadelphia City Council ordered a public hearing of the Committee on Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs to investigate "the impact and feasibility of Philadelphia" hosting the United States Semiquincentennial in 2026, among other events.<ref>{{cite web |date=March 13, 2014 |title=File 140197 |url=https://phila.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=1682434&GUID=62C4CB03-B656-4344-AE35-E6B47B2102AC&Options=ID%7CText%7C&Search=&FullText=1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180522041347/https://phila.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=1682434&GUID=62C4CB03-B656-4344-AE35-E6B47B2102AC&Options=ID%7CText%7C&Search=&FullText=1 |archive-date=May 22, 2018 |access-date=May 20, 2018 |website=Philadelphia City Council |publisher=City of Philadelphia}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Gelb |first1=Matt |date=January 17, 2016 |title=Planning the nation's birthday party . . . for 2026 |work=The Philadelphia Inquirer |publisher=The Lenfest Institute |url=http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20160117_Planning_the_nation_s_birthday_party_______for_2026.html |access-date=May 20, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180521191746/http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20160117_Planning_the_nation_s_birthday_party_______for_2026.html |archive-date=May 21, 2018 |issn=0885-6613}}</ref> The United States Semiquincentennial Commission was subsequently established by {{USStatute|114|196|130|685|2016|07|22}} ("United States Semiquincentennial Commission Act of 2016"), signed by president of the United States, Barack Obama.<ref name="nara">{{cite web |last=Lawrence |first=Kerri |date=May 10, 2018 |title=Ferriero to Serve on Semiquincentennial Commission |url=https://www.archives.gov/news/articles/ferriero-to-serve-on-semiquincentennial-commission |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180521191621/https://www.archives.gov/news/articles/ferriero-to-serve-on-semiquincentennial-commission |archive-date=May 21, 2018 |access-date=May 20, 2018 |website=archives.gov |publisher=National Archives and Records Administration}}</ref> The act was amended by {{USStatute|116|282|130|685|2020|12|31}}, to allow the commission to accept congressional funding, to add a justice of the Supreme Court to the commission, and to make additional technical changes.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Trump |first=Donald J. |author-link=Donald Trump |date=December 31, 2020 |title=Statement on Signing the United States Semiquincentennial Commission Amendments Act of 2020 |url=https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/statement-signing-the-united-states-semiquincentennial-commission-amendments-act-2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210419060618/https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/statement-signing-the-united-states-semiquincentennial-commission-amendments-act-2020 |archive-date=April 19, 2021 |access-date=April 10, 2022 |website=The American Presidency Project |publisher=University of California, Santa Barbara}}</ref>
On November 15, 2017, the United States Department of the Interior issued a request for proposals seeking a non-profit corporation to act as secretariat to the commission and lead a nationwide organization of observances.<ref>{{cite web |date=November 15, 2017 |title=Nonprofit Sought to Coordinate U.S.A.'s 250th Anniversary Commemoration |url=https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1207/11-15-2017-semiquincentennial-commission.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180522042903/https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1207/11-15-2017-semiquincentennial-commission.htm |archive-date=May 22, 2018 |access-date=May 20, 2018 |website=National Park Service |publisher=United States Department of the Interior}}</ref> 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 anniversary observances. The trust "has distinguished itself in fundraising and managing high-profile commemorative events, and that expertise will be invaluable to the U.S.A. 250th Commemoration planning efforts," said then-secretary of the interior Ryan Zinke.<ref>{{cite web |date=May 4, 2018 |title=Civil War Trust Selected as Nonprofit Partner for the commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States |url=https://www.doi.gov/pressreleases/civil-war-trust-selected-nonprofit-partner-commemoration-250th-anniversary-founding |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180521191748/https://www.doi.gov/pressreleases/civil-war-trust-selected-nonprofit-partner-commemoration-250th-anniversary-founding |archive-date=May 21, 2018 |access-date=October 31, 2018 |website=doi.gov |publisher=United States Department of the Interior}}</ref>
Daniel DiLella, CEO and President of Equus, a leading private equity real estate fund, was appointed Chairperson of the Semiquincentennial Commission in April 2018, leading a 32-member body composed of members of Congress, private citizens, and federal officials.<ref>{{cite web |last=Devine |first=Rebecca |date=April 4, 2018 |title=Equus CEO Daniel DiLella Appointed Chairperson of the Seminquincentennial Commission for the United States of America |url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180404005408/en/Equus-CEO-Daniel-DiLella-Appointed-Chairperson-Semiquincentennial |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181101015327/https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180404005408/en/Equus-CEO-Daniel-DiLella-Appointed-Chairperson-Semiquincentennial |archive-date=November 1, 2018 |access-date=October 31, 2018 |website=BusinessWire |publisher=Berkshire Hathaway}}</ref> The commission was tasked with developing a report containing recommendations for the president and Congress within the first two years of its formation. The commission will observe and commemorate not only the Revolution, but also the full history of the U.S. leading up to the 250th Anniversary.
On November 16, 2018, the 33 members of the United States Semiquincentennial were sworn in at Independence Hall in Philadelphia and convened their first organizing meeting to begin eight years of planning and organizing for the 250th national birthday celebration. Dilella estimated that the group would meet three or four times a year.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=American Battlefield Trust |author-link=American Battlefield Trust |date=November 19, 2018 |title=Inaugural Meeting of U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission Held in Philadelphia |work=PR Newswire |publisher=Cision |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/inaugural-meeting-of-us-semiquincentennial-commission-held-in-philadelphia-300753145.html |access-date=April 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181119230016/https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/inaugural-meeting-of-us-semiquincentennial-commission-held-in-philadelphia-300753145.html |archive-date=November 19, 2018}}</ref> The new commission consisted of 16 private citizens, including chairman DiLella; eight members of Congress and nine federal officials.<ref>{{Cite news |last=DiStefano |first=Joseph N. |date=November 21, 2018 |title=Semiquincentennial planners get their Philly start |work=The Philadelphia Inquirer |publisher=The Lenfest Institute |url=http://www2.philly.com/philly/blogs/inq-phillydeals/semiquincentennial-dilella-giordano-cohen-20181121.html |access-date=November 26, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181126221403/http://www2.philly.com/philly/blogs/inq-phillydeals/semiquincentennial-dilella-giordano-cohen-20181121.html |archive-date=November 26, 2018 |issn=0885-6613}}</ref> 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 plant 250 new trees along the trail from the city to Valley Forge.<ref name=":0" />
After being named the non-profit partner in October 2018, the American Battlefield Trust provided financial and staff support to get the commission operational as well as initial legal support. It convened more than 50 commission meetings and provided strategic advice for the governance and structure of the commission, including the establishment of leadership roles and governance committees. The trust also created the America 250 Foundation and provided initial recommendations for staffing and structure. It helped the commission develop relationships with key stakeholders and federal agencies, worked to help secure corporate support for the commission, provided temporary commission administrative offices and worked with Congress to secure federal appropriations, providing more than 4,200 work hours in these efforts.<ref>America 250 Progress Report to the National Park Service, June 2020. (A250_ABT_DOI_ProgressReport 6 March 2020 6.1FINAL.pdf). Accessed June 28, 2021.</ref>{{Full citation needed|date=April 2022}}
In July 2021, the America250 Foundation made public its website as well as its marketing campaign, which initially consisted of advertisements in more than 4,559 locations in the four "leading cities," as well as a public service announcement aired on Comcast NBCUniversal networks that summer. Advertisements were displayed "[from] Times Square and the Lincoln Tunnel in New York to the Walt Whitman Bridge in Philadelphia," with original content also being published on the campaign's social media accounts.<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 6, 2021 |title=America250 Semiquincentennial Campaign Rolling Out |work=New York Almanack |url=https://www.newyorkalmanack.com/2021/07/america250-semiquincentennial-campaign-rolling-out/ |access-date=April 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210707080639/https://www.newyorkalmanack.com/2021/07/america250-semiquincentennial-campaign-rolling-out/ |archive-date=July 7, 2021}}</ref>
{{External media|float=right|video1={{YouTube|rRw5dZMcpnY|''America 250 Interagency Memorandum of Understanding Signing Ceremony''}} (August 20, 2021)|topic=[https://live-america-250-sandbox.pantheonsite.io/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/A250_MOU_Signed-PDF.pdf Memorandum of Understanding for Cooperation in Support for Cooperation in Support of the 250th Anniversary of the United States of America]}}
In July 2022, President Joe Biden designated former treasurer of the United States Rosie Rios as chair of the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission. Rios, who replaced Dan DiLella, was first appointed to the commission on January 11, 2018. DiLella will continue to serve as a commissioner.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.america250.org/news/rosie-rios-designated-chair-of-u-s-semiquincentennial-commission/ | title=Rosie Rios Designated Chair of U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission | newspaper=America250 }}{{Dead link|date=September 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref> 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, had served as America 250 CEO for one year.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.phillymag.com/news/2022/10/05/america250-ceo-resignation-joe-daniels/ | title=Amid Ongoing Controversy, America250 CEO Resigns | date=October 5, 2022 }}</ref>
On August 1, 2024, the Semiquincentennial Commission announced that former presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama, as well as their spouses, former first ladies Laura Bush and Michelle Obama, will serve as the commission's honorary national co-chairs.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://america250.org/news/america250-announces-presidents-bush-obama-first-ladies-as-honorary-national-co-chairs/ | title=America250 Announces Presidents Bush & Obama, First Ladies as Honorary National Co-Chairs | newspaper=America250 | archive-date=August 4, 2024 | access-date=August 4, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240804034328/https://america250.org/news/america250-announces-presidents-bush-obama-first-ladies-as-honorary-national-co-chairs/ | url-status=live }}</ref>
By 2025, Trump was criticized for taking more control over the non-partisan congressional America250 organization. He installed Fox News producer Ariel Abergel and Trump campaign officials as leaders, dropped contractors with ties to Democrats, partnered with conservative organization PragerU to provide educational materials for festivities, and had America250 partner with a cryptocurrency event featuring his two sons.<ref name="Schuessler 07042025">{{Cite news|last=Schuessler|first=Jennifer|date=July 4, 2025|title=Will Politics Derail America's 250th Birthday Bash?|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/03/arts/independence-day-250-trump.html|url-access=subscription|access-date=July 4, 2025}}</ref> The committee also partnered with conservative organization Moms for Liberty, and allowed its "America250" branding to be used at Trump rallies.<ref name="Scherer 08062025">{{Cite news|last=Scherer|first=Michael|date=August 6, 2025|title=The War Over America's Birthday Party|work=The Atlantic|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2025/08/america-250-birthday-party-fight-trump/683774/|url-access=subscription|access-date=September 7, 2025}}</ref> Giant banners with Trump's face and "America250" branding were hung alongside Theodore Roosevelt at the Department of Labor headquarters in Washington, D.C.<ref>{{Cite news|last=McHardy|first=Martha|date=August 26, 2025|title=Giant Donald Trump Portrait Draped Over Department of Labor Building in DC|work=Newsweek|url=https://www.newsweek.com/department-labor-trump-portrait-2119185|access-date=September 7, 2025|archive-date=August 27, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250827102733/https://www.newsweek.com/department-labor-trump-portrait-2119185|url-status=live}}</ref> A letter to Rios and Abergel by all of the Democratic lawmakers on the commission wrote that: "Unfortunately, recent America250 funded and branded events have been partisan and have not served America250's purpose and mission of uniting us as a nation."<ref name="Blackburn 1062025">{{Cite news|last=Blackburn|first=Piper Hudspeth|date=October 6, 2025|title=Will Trump's brand of politics crash America's 250th birthday party?|work=CNN|url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/09/06/politics/trump-250-america-birthday-celebration|url-access=subscription|access-date=September 7, 2025|archive-date=March 27, 2026|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260327000926/https://www.cnn.com/2025/09/06/politics/trump-250-america-birthday-celebration|url-status=live}}</ref> In September 2025, the commission fired Abergel, with sources telling ''The Wall Street Journal'' that he had attempted to steer the direction of programming towards honoring Trump.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Fields|first=Ashleigh|date=September 23, 2025|title=White House's director of 250th celebration fired by bipartisan commission|work=The Hill|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5517326-white-house-ariel-abergel-suspension-america-250/|access-date=October 17, 2025|archive-date=October 2, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251002192526/https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5517326-white-house-ariel-abergel-suspension-america-250/|url-status=live}}</ref>
By the end of 2025, $10 million worth of funding towards America250 was diverted to Freedom 250's "Freedom Trucks". In early 2026, Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman stated that America250 had only received $25 million of its congressionally appropriated $150 million, and was concerned the remainder would be reallocated to the Trump-aligned Freedom 250.<ref name="Vogel 02082026"/> The 250 Commission stated that it had enough money to continue with its original programming, which include "America's Field Trip" asking students across the country what America means to them, and the national volunteering effort "America Gives".<ref name="Fields 02102026"/>
=== White House Task Force 250 / Freedom 250 === {{Main|Task Force 250}} During his 2024 presidential campaign, Donald Trump pledged to throw a "spectacular birthday party" to honor the anniversary, by assembling a White House task force named "White House Task Force on Celebrating America's 250th Birthday".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Writer |first=Katherine Fung Senior |date=2024-11-07 |title=America's turning 250, and Donald Trump is throwing the party |url=https://www.newsweek.com/america-250-birthday-olympics-world-cup-moon-1977998 |access-date=2024-11-23 |website=Newsweek |language=en |archive-date=November 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241127215237/https://www.newsweek.com/america-250-birthday-olympics-world-cup-moon-1977998 |url-status=live }}</ref> The Task Force is separate from the bipartisan United States Semiquincentennial Commission with the White House-led "Task Force 250" chaired by Trump and his political appointees, and is described as more overtly political.<ref name="Bennett 11102025"/> Its funding arm, "Freedom 250", assisted Task Force 250's execution of Trump's proposals.<ref name="Waddick 12192025">{{Cite web|last=Waddick|first=Karissa|title=Trump launches Freedom 250 to add his mark on USA 250 celebrations|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/12/19/trump-america-250-political/87832202007/|access-date=December 19, 2025|website=USA Today|language=en|archive-date=May 17, 2026|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260517085100/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/12/19/trump-america-250-political/87832202007/|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2025, internal documents from the Interior Department instructed its staff to make Freedom 250 the "primary branding" for all national birthday events.<ref name="Vogel 02082026"/>
''The New York Times'' described events held by Trump's Freedom 250 as having "lacked connection to American history", and were described as "tailored to Mr. Trump's political agenda and his penchant for spectacle, personal branding and legacy".<ref name="Vogel 02082026"/> The Associated Press described it as focused on "splashy events" compared to America250's focus on civic engagement and history.<ref name="Fields 02102026">{{Cite news|last1=Fields|first1=Gary|last2=Murphy|first2=Sean|date=February 10, 2026|title=Potential conflicts over celebrating America's 250th anniversary spill out in congressional hearing| publisher = Associated Press |url=https://apnews.com/article/america-250-congress-spending-history-trump-9163856922b428f53a8e1a7c30a06a04|access-date=February 28, 2026|archive-date=May 19, 2026|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260519015549/https://apnews.com/article/america-250-congress-spending-history-trump-9163856922b428f53a8e1a7c30a06a04|url-status=live}}</ref> Initial proposals included a "Great American State Fair" to be held in the Iowa State Fairgrounds, featuring pavilions from all fifty states,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Iowa to host fair to celebrate America's 250th anniversary in 2026 |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/now/video/iowa-to-host-fair-to-celebrate-america-s-250th-anniversary-in-2026-224935493947 |access-date=2024-11-23 |website=NBC News |language=en}}</ref> "Patriot Games" for high-school athletes, public monuments such as a National Garden of American Heroes, and other year-long celebrations and projects across the country.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Agenda47: President Donald J. Trump Announces "Salute To America 250" – A One-Year Celebration of 250 Years of American Independence at the Iowa State Fairgrounds {{!}} Donald J. Trump For President 2024 |url=https://www.donaldjtrump.com/news/6e780911-00e0-4e55-a682-9e393e3e58ac |access-date=2024-11-23 |website=www.donaldjtrump.com |language=en |archive-date=January 22, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250122192202/https://www.donaldjtrump.com/news/6e780911-00e0-4e55-a682-9e393e3e58ac |url-status=live }}</ref> On January 29, 2025, President Trump signed Executive Order 14189, entitled "Celebrating America's 250th Birthday".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Office of the Press Secretary |date=January 29, 2025 |title=Celebrating America's 250th Birthday |url=https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/celebrating-americas-250th-birthday/ |work=whitehouse.gov |via=National Archives |archive-date=February 1, 2026 |access-date=February 5, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260201230842/https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/celebrating-americas-250th-birthday/ |url-status=live }}</ref> It also proposed a UFC fight on the White House lawn.<ref name="Waddick 12192025"/>
Freedom 250 offered access to Trump and other benefits to donors who gave $1 million to the organization. ''The Times'' described the organization as taking on a "Trumpian flare" and overshadowing years of planning work done by America250. While America250 is a stand-alone congressionally authorized nonprofit group, Freedom 250 "utilizes opaque corporate structures" and is "technically a limited liability company created by, and housed inside, the National Park Foundation".<ref name="Vogel 02082026">{{Cite news|last1=Vogel|first1=Kenneth P.|last2=Friedman|first2=Lisa|last3=Fahrenthold|first3=David A.|author-link1=Kenneth P. Vogel|date=February 8, 2026|title=For $1 Million, Donors to U.S.A. Birthday Group Offered Access to Trump|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/08/us/politics/freedom-250-trump-donors.html|url-access=subscription|access-date=February 28, 2026}}</ref> US embassies promoted Freedom 250 and America250 to overseas donors to host lavish parties and events, with former diplomats and business executives describing an "aggressive" fundraising push that raised tens of millions of dollars. Freedom 250 spokeswoman Danielle Alvarez stated that the Freedom 250 name had been embraced across the administration, and suggested that embassies were using the name as shorthand for their own semiquincentennial initiatives not directly related to the group and that it did not receive foreign funding.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Stevenson|first1=Alexandra|last2=Davis|first2=River Akira|last3=Vogel|first3=Kenneth P.|author-link3=Kenneth P. Vogel|date=February 8, 2026|title=Like Trump, U.S. Embassies Are Raising Cash for Lavish July Fourth Parties|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/08/us/politics/freedom-250-trump-donors.html|url-access=subscription|access-date=February 28, 2026}}</ref>
Trump's formation of Task Force 250 was criticized by Democrats and some historians as an attempt to politicize the celebrations, with conservative author and political scientist John J. Pitney describing them as "an opportunity for people to curry Trump's favor" through donations. John Dichtl, president of the American Association for State and Local History criticized Task Force 250's decision to host a UFC fight on the White House lawn, writing "What does a (UFC) fight have to do with America's greatness?" A June 21 letter by Democrats on the bipartisan America250 commission questioned its relationship to the Trump-led Task Force 250 and its events.<ref name="Waddick 12192025"/>
In February 2026, Democratic senators launched a probe into Freedom 250's funding practices over its transparency and potential conflicts of interest.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Fields|first=Ashleigh|date=February 12, 2026|title=Democrats launch probe into organization leading White House efforts to celebrate nation’s 250th birthday|work=The Hill|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5735903-democratic-senators-probe-freedom-250/|access-date=February 28, 2026}}</ref> During a February congressional hearing, Democratic Representative Jared Huffman accused the Trump administration of using Freedom 250 to "hijack the country's 250th anniversary and sell access, hide his donors and rewrite history" and that Republicans had "let him clean house and put loyalists on the board of the National Park Foundation, open the door to foreign, dark money donors to buy influence with zero oversight". Representative Maxine Dexter expressed concerns that the organization was using public money and mixing it with private donations, and that the structure of the organization made it difficult to trace where the money came from. The Interior Department has stated that the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission receives money through an interagency agreement with the National Park Service, but did not respond to questions regarding the distribution of federal money to America250.<ref name="Fields 02102026"/>
==Reactions== The launch of bisesquicentennial celebrations occurred amidst record-low levels of patriotism,<ref name="Daher 2025"/> largely driven by cratering pride among Democrats and independents during Trump's second presidency.<ref name="Lotz 07012025">{{Cite news|last=Lotz|first=Avery|date=July 1, 2025|title=American pride plummets to new low|work=Axios|url=https://www.axios.com/2025/07/01/american-pride-record-low-gallup|access-date=July 4, 2025}}</ref> These celebrations were described as featuring competing narratives over American history,<ref name="Schuessler 07042025"/><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Lepore |first=Jill |date=November 17, 2025 |title=Revolutionary Whiplash. Commemorating a Nation's Founding in a Time of Fear and Foreboding |url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2025/11/17/what-was-the-american-revolution-for |journal=The New Yorker |language=en-US |volume=101 |issue=36 |pages=14-18 |issn=0028-792X |url-access=subscription |archive-date=February 7, 2026 |access-date=February 7, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260207134532/https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2025/11/17/what-was-the-american-revolution-for |url-status=live }}</ref> such as with conflicts over the removal of Confederate monuments and memorials.<ref name="Smith 07042025">{{Cite news|last=Smith|first=David|date=July 4, 2025|title=Trump kicks off 4 July celebrating tax-and-spending bill and promising UFC fight at White House|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jul/04/trump-4-july-des-moines-iowa-rally|access-date=July 4, 2025|archive-date=July 4, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250704194552/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jul/04/trump-4-july-des-moines-iowa-rally|url-status=live}}</ref> ''The Economist'' described them as "shaping up not as mere metaphor but as a straightforward display of America's fractured state".<ref name="Bennett 11102025">{{Cite news|last=Bennet|first=James|date=November 10, 2025|title=A divided America celebrates its 250th birthday|work=The Economist|url=https://www.economist.com/the-world-ahead/2025/11/10/a-divided-america-celebrates-its-250th-birthday|access-date=January 1, 2026}}</ref>
Trump's cost-cutting measures across the federal government were described as complicating celebrations, with funding cuts for the National Endowment for the Humanities leading to grant terminations for several state humanities councils that were working on programming for the 250th celebration.<ref name="Superville 07032025">{{Cite news|last1=Superville|first1=Darlene|last2=Fingerhut|first2=Hannah|date=July 3, 2025|title=Trump kicks off a yearlong celebration of America's 250th anniversary in Iowa|publisher = Associated Press |url=https://apnews.com/article/trump-america-250th-birthday-iowa-e6fb5df832cdba107ae4e9c62f2577e9|access-date=July 4, 2025}}</ref> CNN reported that state and local planners expressed fears over the president's brand of politics and funding cuts, writing that they were "concerned about a lack of resources to put on their own events and fear that the overall tenor will turn partisan as opposed to unifying, leaving little room for meaningful reflection on the nation's past".<ref name="Blackburn 1062025"/>
===Politicization and protests=== {{See also|United States Semiquincentennial Commission#Politicization}} Inner covers of a new limited-edition United States passport design for the Semiquincentennial featuring Donald Trump|300px|thumb|right Criticism of the celebrations for politicization and praising Trump and conservatism emerged over official programming decisions.{{refn|name="Politicization"| *{{Cite news|last=Schuessler|first=Jennifer|date=July 4, 2025|title=Will Politics Derail America's 250th Birthday Bash?|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/03/arts/independence-day-250-trump.html|url-access=subscription|access-date=July 4, 2025}} *{{Cite news|last1=Fields|first1=Gary|last2=Murphy|first2=Sean|date=February 10, 2026|title=Potential conflicts over celebrating America's 250th anniversary spill out in congressional hearing|publisher = Associated Press |url=https://apnews.com/article/america-250-congress-spending-history-trump-9163856922b428f53a8e1a7c30a06a04|access-date=February 28, 2026}} *{{Cite news|last=Scherer|first=Michael|date=August 6, 2025|title=The War Over America's Birthday Party|work=The Atlantic|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2025/08/america-250-birthday-party-fight-trump/683774/|url-access=subscription|access-date=September 7, 2025}} *{{Cite news|last=Puzzanghera|first=Jim|date=October 17, 2025|title=As Trump puts his stamp on America's 250th birthday, the party turns partisan|work=Boston Globe|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/10/17/nation/america-250-birthday-donald-trump/|access-date=February 28, 2026}} *{{Cite news |last=Barry |first=Dan |date=February 25, 2026 |title=For America’s 250th, Should the Coin of Trump's Realm Be Gold? |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/25/us/trump-coins.html?searchResultPosition=1 |url-access=subscription |access-date=February 28, 2026 |work=The New York Times|quote=The Trump administration has worked hard to ensure that this year's celebration of the nation's 250th anniversary celebrates President Trump as well. }} *{{Cite news|last=Bennet|first=James|date=November 10, 2025|title=A divided America celebrates its 250th birthday|work=The Economist|url=https://www.economist.com/the-world-ahead/2025/11/10/a-divided-america-celebrates-its-250th-birthday|access-date=January 1, 2026}} *{{Cite journal |last=Lepore |first=Jill |date=November 17, 2025 |title=Revolutionary Whiplash. Commemorating a Nation's Founding in a Time of Fear and Foreboding |url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2025/11/17/what-was-the-american-revolution-for |journal=The New Yorker |language=en-US |volume=101 |issue=36 |pages=14-18 |issn=0028-792X |url-access=subscription}} *{{Cite news|last=Daher|first=Natalie|date=July 4, 2025|title=America's nonstop birthday party|work=Axios|url=https://www.axios.com/2025/07/04/americas-250-birthday-festivities-trump|url-access=subscription|access-date=July 4, 2025|quote=Preparations for America's 250th birthday have been underway since roughly 2016 under former President Obama, though they've taken a more MAGA bent since January.}} *{{Cite news|last1=Vogel|first1=Kenneth P.|last2=Friedman|first2=Lisa|last3=Fahrenthold|first3=David A.|author-link1=Kenneth P. Vogel|date=February 8, 2026|title=For $1 Million, Donors to U.S.A. Birthday Group Offered Access to Trump|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/08/us/politics/freedom-250-trump-donors.html|url-access=subscription|access-date=February 28, 2026|quote=The group, Freedom 250, is threatening to overshadow years of plans meant to reach the broadest cross section of Americans for semiquincentennial celebrations. They are now taking on a Trumpian flare, replete with marble and machismo.}} *{{Cite news|last1=Stevenson|first1=Alexandra|last2=Davis|first2=River Akira|last3=Vogel|first3=Kenneth P.|author-link3=Kenneth P. Vogel|date=February 8, 2026|title=Like Trump, U.S. Embassies Are Raising Cash for Lavish July Fourth Parties|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/08/us/politics/freedom-250-trump-donors.html|url-access=subscription|access-date=February 28, 2026|quote=The embassies' aggressive push has been met with shock from some executives, who have been on the receiving end of the solicitations, and spoke on background about their reactions. Experts said the scope of the campaign is unusual.}} *{{cite news |last=Carrillo|first=Sequoia|date=September 17, 2025|title=U.S. Education Dept. Unites Conservative Groups to Create 'Patriotic' Civics Content|url=https://www.npr.org/2025/09/17/nx-s1-5544582/u-s-education-dept-unites-conservative-groups-to-create-patriotic-civics-content|work=NPR|access-date=September 21, 2025}} *{{Cite news|last1=Superville|first1=Darlene|last2=Fingerhut|first2=Hannah|date=July 3, 2025|title=Trump kicks off a yearlong celebration of America's 250th anniversary in Iowa| publisher = Associated Press|url=https://apnews.com/article/trump-america-250th-birthday-iowa-e6fb5df832cdba107ae4e9c62f2577e9|access-date=July 4, 2025|quote=President Donald Trump turned a heartland festival for the United States' upcoming 250th anniversary into a celebration of himself, basking in a crowd of supporters Thursday night shortly after Congress approved tax cut legislation that he championed. ... Organizers see the coming year of festivities as a way to help unite a polarized nation and bridge political divides. But Trump left no doubt during his speech that he views patriotism as inseparable from his own agenda, saying Democrats who voted against his legislation "hate our country."}} *{{Cite news|last=Blackburn|first=Piper Hudspeth|date=October 6, 2025|title=Will Trump's brand of politics crash America's 250th birthday party?|work=CNN|url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/09/06/politics/trump-250-america-birthday-celebration|url-access=subscription|access-date=September 7, 2025}} *{{Cite news|last=Waddick|first=Karissa|date=February 12, 2026|title=Critics: Trump's Freedom250 is 'pay-for-play,' lacks transparency|work=USA Today|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2026/02/12/freedom-250-funding-foreign-money/88596100007/|access-date=September 7, 2025}} }} Several artists who had been invited to perform at the event publicly announced their decision to decline participation. Their objections stemmed from a shared belief that what had originally been presented to them as a nonpartisan, neutral gathering had gradually become associated with President Trump and, in their view, taken on a political character.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Maher ribs Trump over falling poll numbers, America 250 bash |url=https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/5902416-maher-roasts-trump-approval-america-250/ |website=The Hill}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-05-30 |title=Maher ribs Trump over falling poll numbers, America 250 bash |url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/tv/articles/maher-ribs-trump-over-falling-143638558.html |access-date=2026-05-31 |website=Yahoo Entertainment |language=en-US}}</ref>
''Axios'' described them as taking on a "MAGA bent" since January 2025, with Trump coming up with and announcing more ideas for celebrations throughout the year. These events included a "soft launch" of America250 festivities during Trump's military parade in June that became overshadowed by the millions across the country who protested on the same day during the No Kings protests.<ref name="Daher 2025"/><ref name="Ewing 06142025">{{Cite news|last=Ewing|first=Giselle Ruhiyyih|date=June 14, 2025|title=The Resistance 2.0 arrives with nationwide 'No Kings' protests|work=Politico|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2025/06/14/no-kings-protest-trump-00406243|access-date=June 15, 2025|quote=As President Donald Trump's military parade rolled through the nation's capital on Saturday, millions of Americans across the country took part in the largest coordinated protests against the president since the start of his second administration.|archive-date=June 14, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250614181650/https://www.politico.com/news/2025/06/14/no-kings-protest-trump-00406243|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=June 12, 2025 |title=What to expect at Trump's military parade and 'No Kings' protests |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c9dqz4jdzy2o |access-date=June 12, 2025 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB |archive-date=June 15, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250615033527/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c9dqz4jdzy2o |url-status=live }}</ref> ''The Economist'' described the Trump administration's March 2025 executive order requesting an audit of federal historical sites and the Smithsonian Museum to remove "divisive narratives" viewed as promoting DEI and "leftist" ideologies, such as ordering the removal of signs mentioning slavery at national parks, as an example of the nation's history becoming a "partisan battleground" ahead of the festivities.<ref name="Bennett 11102025"/>
During the opening announcement for America250 in Des Moines, Iowa, on July 3, 2025, Trump criticized Democrats, saying "I hate them" and that "I cannot stand them, because I really believe they hate our country",<ref name="Scherer 08062025"/> and also said those who voted against his One Big Beautiful Bill Act "hate our country".<ref name="Superville 07032025"/> He also mocked former president Joe Biden's speaking style, repeated his lie of a stolen 2020 election, criticized the "fake news" media, and engaged in campaign-style rhetoric praising his accomplishments and suggesting he was the greatest president in United States history.<ref name="Smith 07042025"/> The Associated Press called Trump as viewing "patriotism as inseparable from his own agenda", and the event featured large amounts of pro-Trump campaign gear and memorabilia.<ref name="Superville 07032025"/><ref name="Smith 07042025"/>
The White House stated it has sent letters to state governors and ambassadors to display its "Founder's Museum" exhibit made in partnership with PragerU in capitols, schools, and embassies. The exhibit received criticism from historians for blurring history with AI-generated fiction and having historical characters repeat the phrase "facts don't care about your feelings" popularized by conservative commentator Ben Shapiro.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Monroe|first=Kristian|date=September 3, 2025|title='Founders Museum' from White House and PragerU blurs history, AI-generated fiction|work=NPR News|url=https://www.npr.org/2025/09/03/nx-s1-5521261/white-house-ai-founders-museum|url-access=subscription|access-date=September 7, 2025}}</ref> Freedom 250's "Freedom Trucks" exhibit was funded by $10 million worth of congressionally authorized funding diverted from America 250, and was criticized as being made by conservative Hillsdale College and PragerU and prominently featuring quotes by Trump and a video he filmed inside the Oval Office.<ref name="Vogel 02082026"/>
In 2026, the State Department announced that as part of the Semiquincentennial, new passports would be issued featuring an image of Donald Trump. A spokesperson of the United States Department of State stated that "As the United States celebrates America’s 250th anniversary in July, the State Department is preparing to release a limited number of specially designed U.S. Passports to commemorate this historic occasion". The move came after the Department of the Interior placed Trump's face on "America the Beautiful" level park passes in 2025 also as part of the nation's 250 birthday celebrations. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum stated the new passes bearing Trump's face would be "honoring America’s 250th anniversary and the generations who have protected our lands".<ref>{{Cite news|last=Hansler|first=Jennifer|date=April 29, 2026|title=US to issue passports featuring Trump’s picture to commemorate America’s 250th anniversary|work=CNN|url=https://www.cnn.com/2026/04/28/politics/us-trump-passport|access-date=April 29, 2026|archive-date=April 29, 2026|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260429005557/https://www.cnn.com/2026/04/28/politics/us-trump-passport|url-status=live}}</ref>
In May 2026, ''USA Today'' described the "unofficial opening" of celebrations as beginning with "Rededicate 250", a prayer event organized on the National Mall featuring conservative Christian speakers and video messages from Trump and other administration figures promoting evangelicalism. The event received criticism from historians and religious organizations for promoting a Christian nationalist interpretation of American history.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Page|first=Susan|date=May 17, 2026|title=Cue the fireworks: America's 250th opens with prayer and a fight|work=USA Today|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2026/05/17/america-250-prayer-trump-fight/90114536007/|access-date=May 17, 2026}}</ref> The same month, several musical artists publicly backed out of the Freedom 250 concert series "The Great American State Fair" and publicly criticized the events for politicization and connection to the Trump administration.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Lam|first=Sabrina|date=May 29, 2026|title=Musical artists bail from Freedom 250 fair over 'political involvement'|work=Politico|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2026/05/29/freedom-250-fair-musical-lineup-00942818|access-date=May 31, 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Segarra|first=Edward|date=May 28, 2026|title=These music stars are pulling out of the Great American State Fair |work=USA Today|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2026/05/28/freedom-250-concert-cancellations-donald-trump/90294799007/ |access-date=May 28, 2026}}</ref> Trump later called for canceling the concert series and appearing himself to headline a MAGA rally instead to celebrate the 250th anniversary.<ref>{{Cite news|date=May 31, 2026|title=Trump calls for replacing US 250th concerts with MAGA rally|newspaper=France 24|url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20260531-trump-calls-for-replacing-us-250th-concerts-with-maga-rally|agency=Agence France-Presse|access-date=May 31, 2026|quote="We should have a giant MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN RALLY, for 250, instead of having overpriced singers, who nobody wants to hear, whose music is boring, and yet who do nothing but complain," Trump posted on his Truth Social platform, adding: "Cancel it."}}</ref>
Many donors to America250 have been seen as Trump-friendly, including Amazon, Coinbase, and the Ultimate Fighting Championship.<ref name="Daher 2025"/>
===Trump currency=== ====Trump commemorative coin==== {{further|United States Semiquincentennial coinage#Trump dollar proposal}} The decision of the US Mint to create a two-headed commemorative $1 dollar coin of Trump was widely criticized by historians as antithetical to America's anti-monarchical ethos. It was described as coming in spite of a 2005 congressional authorization that stated coins should not "bear the image of a living former or current president". Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that a 2020 law allowed "designs emblematic of the United States semiquincentennial" and that "there is no profile more emblematic for the front of this coin than that of our serving President, Donald J. Trump." ''The New York Times'' highlighted passages from the law which also stated "No head and shoulders portrait or bust of any person, living or dead, and no portrait of a living person may be included in the design on the reverse of any coin", which would make such a decision likely illegal.<ref name="Barry 11092025">{{Cite news |last=Barry |first=Dan |date=November 9, 2025 |title=A Two-Headed Coin That Always Comes Up 'Trump' |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/09/us/trump-commemorative-coin.html |url-access=subscription |access-date=January 1, 2026 |work=The New York Times}}</ref>
In early 2026, the Mint proposed an additional "review and discussion of a Semiquincentennial Gold Coin" that would feature Trump to the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee.<ref name="Barry 02282025">{{Cite news |last=Barry |first=Dan |date=February 25, 2026 |title=For America’s 250th, Should the Coin of Trump's Realm Be Gold? |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/25/us/trump-coins.html?searchResultPosition=1 |url-access=subscription |access-date=February 28, 2026 |work=The New York Times}}</ref> Acting chairman Donald Scarinci criticized the decision, writing that:
{{quote|"For 250 years, since that great document was signed — with a few controversial exceptions — no nation on earth has issued coins with the image of a democratically elected leader during the time of their service. Only those nations ruled by kings or dictators display the image of their sitting ruler on the coins of the realm. God bless America, and may God preserve our nation."<ref name="Barry 02282025"/>}}
The only other president to be depicted on coinage despite federal law<ref>{{cite book| last1 = Swiatek| first1 = Anthony| last2 = Breen| first2 = Walter| authorlink2 = Walter Breen| year = 1981| title = The Encyclopedia of United States Silver & Gold Commemorative Coins, 1892 to 1954| publisher = Arco Publishing| location = New York| isbn = 978-0-668-04765-4| url-access = registration| url = https://archive.org/details/encyclopediaofun00swia}}</ref>{{rp|221}} was during the 150th anniversary celebrations in 1926, when coinage was made depicting then sitting President Calvin Coolidge as part of the United States Sesquicentennial coinage.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1926 Sesquicentennial of American Independence Half Dollar {{!}} Commemorative Coins |url=https://www.money.org/1926-sesquicentennial-of-american-independence-half-dollar/ |access-date=2026-04-09 |website=American Numismatic Association |language=en-US}}</ref>
====Trump signature and $250 banknote====
In 2026, Trump appointees began printing $100 bills with Trump's signature to replace the Secretary of the Treasury and produced mock-ups for a $250 banknote bearing Trump's portrait to celebrate the nation's 250th anniversary. The moves were criticized for breaking federal law according to currency experts.<ref>{{Cite news |last=O'Connell |first=Jonathan |date=May 28, 2026 |title=Trump appointees push $250 banknote with his portrait |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/2026/05/28/trump-250-bill-pushed-by-treasury-appointees/ |url-access=subscription |access-date=May 28, 2026 |work=The Washington Post |archive-date=May 28, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260528115251/https://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/2026/05/28/trump-250-bill-pushed-by-treasury-appointees/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
==See also== * United States Centennial, 100th anniversary (1876) * United States Sesquicentennial, 150th anniversary (1926) * United States Bicentennial, 200th anniversary (1976) * Founding Fathers of the United States * United Colonies * United States Army 250th Anniversary Parade * Flagpole of Freedom Park * George Washington Museum of American History
== Notes == {{Notelist}}
==References== {{reflist|2}}
==External links== {{Sister project links|auto=yes}} * [https://www.america250.org/ Official website of the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission] * "Leading cities" websites: ** [https://www.revolution250.org/ Boston] ** [https://www.philadelphia250.us/ Philadelphia] ** [https://twitter.com/nyc250th New York City] * [http://www.battlefields.org American Battlefield Trust, secretariat to the United States Semiquincentennial Commission] * [https://logogeek.uk/podcast/designing-america250 Podcast Interview with Landor, Designing the America250 Brand Identity] * [http://whatsamericaspurpose.com/season-2-ep-23anna-laymon-helping-us-make-the-most-of-the-250th-anniversary-of-the-declaration-of-independence/ Podcast Interview with Anna Laymon, Helping Us Make the Most of the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence]{{Dead link|date=September 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }} * {{ProPublicaNonprofitExplorer|842144791|America250 Org Inc}}
{{United States Declaration of Independence}} {{American Revolutionary War}} {{United States Semiquincentennial Commission}} {{Second presidency of Donald Trump}}
Category:Holidays related to the American Revolution Category:2026 in the United States Category:July 2026 in the United States Category:United States Semiquincentennial Category:United States Declaration of Independence anniversaries Category:Second presidency of Donald Trump