This time next year, we will be in a full media blitz in celebration of the 250th anniversary of the nation. Things are starting to gear up now for just how everyone including national, state and local organizations are going to commemorate one of those ‘big-0’ birthdays and help you plan for how you are going to spend your Fourth of July, 2026.
The last time this was a big deal was the bicentennial of 1976. I just remember there being a lot of boats/ships/etc. in New York harbor and powdered wigs shooting muskets. And whereas we all agreed that the event marking the 200th was, is now, and forever shall be known as the “bicentennial,” this time around it’s a bit more complicated.
The official term for what we are all getting ready to go through is the “semiquincentennial.” Doesn’t quite roll off the tongue very easy, does it? Lucky us, there are other names by which it can be called, as well. “Bisesquicentennial” (though spell check does not recognize that word) is also a proper way to clock the anniversary. Don’t like either of those? There’s more. Try “sestercentennial” (spell check doesn’t like that one either).
Probably the easiest to remember is “quarter millennial” as in a fourth of a 1,000 years. Not great, but at least easier to understand than the others.
On that coming day, you may also want to lift a glass in toast to the bicentennial of the passing of two of the founding fathers, who died on the same day, July 4, 1826, on the 50th anniversary of the signing. John Adams, head of the committee to come up with the document and Thomas Jefferson, the actual writer, at least until before the Second Continental Congress watered down his words, were key players in the call for independence. Both agreed that the colonies needed to stop apologizing for resisting British oppression and declare their intention, which on July 2 they formally did. The final, final version came a few days later.
You may not be surprised to discover that the federal government already has a logo for the upcoming event and a calendar that is filling up with activities to remind us of the day when that 1776 wartime government of the colonies declared as follows:
“When in the course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.” (Introduction to the “Declaration of Independence”)
So, call it whatever you want. We have about a year to settle on a name and get ready to commemorate, however you choose to do it. Parading, partying, flag waving, moment of reflection, exasperation over the unceasing nature of the media event. The 250th anniversary of the United States of America will likely include all of the above.
Photo: The “OFFICIAL” logo. Don’t be confused by cheesy imitators.
