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Celebrating America

Get ready to ring in the nation’s 250th birthday.

May 11, 2026

By Cailin Loesch

Each year, fireworks light up the night sky on the Fourth of July. But this year’s festivities will be extra special because the United States is celebrating its 250th birthday. On July 4, 1776, representatives from the 13 Colonies approved the Declaration of Independence. The document officially announced that the colonies would no longer be ruled by Great Britain.

Some celebrations are already underway. The Freedom Plane is carrying some of our nation’s founding documents, including a rare draft of the U.S. Constitution, to cities across the country. Plenty of other festivities are planned for America’s semiquincentennial, or 250th anniversary. In New York City, a lit-up ball will drop in Times Square at midnight on July 4—much like the famous New Year’s Eve tradition. And on July 8, people from every state will read the Declaration of Independence together at the same time.

This year won’t be the first time Americans have thrown a birthday party for the United States. Here’s a look at three past celebrations.

1876: The Centennial

America Turns 100

President: Ulysses S. Grant

Number of States: 37

Population: About 46 million people

The biggest 100th anniversary celebration took place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania—the city where the Declaration was written in 1776. Called the Centennial International Exhibition, the event was the first World’s Fair held in the U.S. About 10 million visitors got to see recent inventions like the telephone and typewriter. They also tried foods that were new to many Americans, including bananas, root beer, and ketchup.

Visitors to the exhibition also got a sneak peek at the Statue of Liberty’s right arm and torch (above). The full statue wasn’t completed until 1886.

1926: The Sesquicentennial

America Turns 150

President: Calvin Coolidge

Number of States: 48

Population: About 117 million people

Another big birthday, another celebration in Philadelphia! This one was called the Sesquicentennial International Exposition. It included exhibits and shows about American history. Unfortunately, because of rainy weather, fewer people attended the event than organizers had hoped.

One of the main attractions was an 80-foot-tall replica of the Liberty Bell, which was about 16 times the size of the real thing. The huge replica (above) was lit up by 26,000 bulbs. This was a big deal because, at the time, nearly half of all homes in the U.S. still didn’t have electricity.

1976: The Bicentennial

America Turns 200

President: Gerald Ford

Number of States: 50

Population: About 218 million people

Tens of thousands of celebrations took place throughout the year, as patriotism swept the nation. One of the first big events was Super Bowl X on January 18 in Miami, Florida. Players from the Pittsburgh Steelers and Dallas Cowboys wore bicentennial patches on their uniforms, and the halftime show featured songs from U.S. history.

During the year, Americans showed the “Spirit of ’76” at concerts, parades, and reenactments. At the Fourth of July parade in Washington, D.C. (above), people honored the first two centuries of the U.S. and looked to the future. How will this year’s celebrations compare?