U.S Prepares For Historic 250th Independence anniversary celebrations.
LOS ANGELES — The U.S.A is set to celebrate its 250th anniversary on July 4, 2026, across the country. The celebrations are meant to honor the nation’s founding and history and to engage all Americans in a nationwide celebration.
The 250th anniversary of the United States, also known as the Semiquincentennial, is one of the USA’s most anticipated events. The event marks 250 years since the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration while John Hancock was president of the Continental Congress. The declaration was signed by 56 delegates from 13 colonies.
The declaration meant that the 13 American colonies were no longer colonies of the Kingdom of Great Britain.
Some of the major events expected during the America250 celebrations include: a flagship America250 concert, fireworks displays, a parade, and patriotic ceremonies.
Rosie Rios, a Mexican-American business leader, served as the 43rd Treasurer of the United States from 2009 to 2016 under President Barack Obama’s leadership and was later succeeded by Jovita Carranza. Currently, she serves as chair of the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission, which oversees the official America250 celebrations.
Rios was appointed by former President Joe Biden to lead the bipartisan commission, which is responsible for planning and coordinating the official America250 celebrations. Major commemorations are expected in cities including Philadelphia and Los Angeles.
America250 chair Rosie Rios speaks during an event to mark the launch of the "Our American Story " project ahead of the 250th anniversary in United States.. Photo: Mark Schiefelbein/AP. ©2025 AP
The United States 250th event is being coordinated by two main bodies: America 250, established by Congress in 2016 to plan nonpartisan events, and Freedom 250, a White House initiative created by President Donald Trump’s administration. The involvement of two bodies has sparked a broader debate over who should lead the event and whether it should remain a strictly bipartisan celebration. Some critics have aired their opinion that the event could be politicized and overshadow the historical significance of the occasion
“They celebrate it because the Declaration of Independence was adopted on July 4th, 1776. The declaration, which was written by Thomas Jefferson and signed by the President of the Continental Congress, meant that the 13 American colonies were no longer colonies of the Kingdom of Great Britain," said David Miller during an interview with Zenger News.”