This year’s Northern Colorado Fourth of July celebrations have just wrapped up, but next year those celebrations, including fireworks displays, could burn brighter as America celebrates its 250th birthday in 2026.
The nation’s bicentennial in 1976 was a year in which Americans celebrated in earnest, not just over the Fourth of July holiday.
President Donald Trump has said Americans can expect much of the same the entire year in 2026, predicting the celebration under his watch will reach “extraordinary” levels.
Trump is scheduled to visit Iowa this month to kick off the celebration of America’s 250th birthday.
When is America 250?
America will celebrate its semiquincentennial throughout 2026, culminating on Independence Day.
How old is the United States?
The U.S. Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence 249 years ago, on July 4, 1776.
What America 250 events are scheduled?
In January, Trump signed an executive order that created Task Force 250.
As outlined by the order and headed by Trump, Task Force 250 is responsible for planning and executing “an extraordinary celebration of the 250th anniversary of American independence” on July 4, 2026. The task force is also responsible for the creation of the National Garden of American Heroes, a sculpture garden first proposed by the president in 2020 that is scheduled to open in July 2026.
Who is behind America 250?
The United States Semiquincentennial, also known as America250, is a nonprofit dedicated to the celebration of the 250th anniversary across the country. The America250 site lists more than a dozen corporate partners, including Amazon, Coke and Walmart, and has information on events scheduled so far at states throughout the country.
Gannett News Service contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: America turns 250 years old in 2026. Yearlong celebrations expected