1776 to 2026: How America Celebrated Its Independence Across 250 Years

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July 4, 2026 marked a historic milestone—the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. In this month’s Fortitude post, I take a step back in time to explore how Americans have commemorated this defining moment over past anniversaries.

1776 (A Nation’s Birth)

At the Pennsylvania State House on July 4, 1776, the Second Continental Congress voted to approve the Declaration of Independence. Four days later, on July 8th, the citizens of Philadelphia were called to the State House Yard by the ringing of city bells. At noon, Colonel John Nixon delivered the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence, ushering in the new nation’s earliest celebration.¹

On July 19, Congress ordered that the Declaration be formally engrossed on parchment and signed by all its members. As President of the Continental Congress, John Hancock was the first to sign, doing so on August 2, 1776. He signed his name prominently in large, bold script at the center of the document. The remaining delegates signed afterward with their names grouped by state from the northernmost New Hampshire to the southernmost Georgia. Although not all delegates were present on August 2, a total of 56 eventually signed the document.²

I take pride in my ancestor’s role in the fight for American independence. My 5th great-grandfather, Captain Benjamin Spaulding led a New Hampshire militia company in Colonel Moses Nichols’ regiment, marching from Jaffrey, New Hampshire, to reinforce the Continental Army at West Point in 1780.

1826 (50th Anniversary)

On July 4, 1826, the United States celebrated the 50th anniversary of its independence—its “Jubilee”—with festivities held nationwide. One of the most notable events was a grand parade that passed before President John Quincy Adams and Vice President John C. Calhoun outside the White House, followed by an elaborate dinner and a spectacular fireworks display.³

On the morning of the 50th anniversary of the United States, only three of the original signers of the Declaration of Independence were still alive. By days end, that number was reduced to one. Thomas Jefferson died around noon on July 4, 1826 at age 83. John Adams, his friend and rival, died just hours later at age 90.⁴

1876 (100th Anniversary) 

The United States marked its 100th birthday on July 4, 1876. The highlight was the Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia—the first World’s Fair held in the country—which showcased a century of national innovation. The celebration took place just 11 years after the Civil War ended in 1865.⁵

At this exhibition, the nearly 10 million Americans who attended got their first look at innovations like the telephone, typewriter, and mechanical calculator. They also sampled foods like bananas, root beer, ketchup, and popcorn for the first time—no doubt a memorable experience that turned their world upside down!⁵

1926 (150th Anniversary)

Like the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the 150th anniversary—known as the Sesquicentennial—was commemorated with an International Exposition held in Philadelphia in 1926.

On July 5, 1926, President Calvin Coolidge spoke to the crowd in Philadelphia, reflecting eloquently on 150 years of American history. In his remarks about the Declaration of Independence, he stated:

It is the product of the spiritual insight of the people. We live in an age of science and of abounding accumulation of material things. These did not create our Declaration. Our Declaration created them. The things of the spirit come first. Unless we cling to that, all our material prosperity, overwhelming though it may appear, will turn to a barren scepter in our grasp. If we are to maintain the great heritage which has been bequeathed to us, we must be like-minded as the fathers who created it.⁶

President Calvin Coolidge (1926)

During America’s 150th anniversary year, my great-uncle Benjamin Spaulding was serving in the U.S. Naval Reserves. He enlisted on May 17, 1918, during World War I. After completing boot camp at Naval Station Great Lakes in Illinois—the same base where I trained 58 years later—he attended the Naval Radio School at Harvard University. In the month of the Sesquicentennial celebration, Benjamin was promoted to Seaman First Class and served aboard the USS Flusser (DD-289). More on his story can be found HERE.

1976 (200th Anniversary)

The United States bicentennial anniversary was observed with a series of celebrations across the nation. Among the most notable was Operation Sail, an international parade of tall-masted sailing ships that entered New York City on Independence Day.

Alongside these “tall ships,” navies from around the world sent warships to New York Harbor for an International Naval Review on the morning of July 4th. U.S. President Gerald R. Ford arrived by helicopter aboard the aircraft carrier USS Forrestal (CV-59). Once onboard, the president rang a ceremonial bell 13 times—one for each of the original colonies—in honor of America’s 200 years of independence.⁷

As part of the 200th celebration, George Washington was posthumously appointed to the rank of General of the Armies of the United States through a congressional joint resolution effective July 4, 1976. This rank—the highest in U.S. military history—has been held by only two individuals: General John J. Pershing, who commanded the American Expeditionary Forces during World War I, and now General George Washington.⁸

On a personal note, July 1976 marked the completion of my first year in the U.S. Navy. At 18, I was near completion of my training as an electronics technician at Naval Station, Great Lakes and had orders in hand to my first ship—the aircraft carrier, USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CV-42).

2026 (250th Anniversary)

America marked its 250th anniversary—the Semiquincentennial—on July 4, 2026, with celebrations held across the country. Among the highlights was the 16-day Great American State Fair on the National Mall, where all 50 states and U.S. territories were represented through pavilions, cuisine, and cultural exhibits. The festivities concluded with colossal Independence Day celebration and a record breaking fireworks display over the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

As with previous milestone anniversaries, Sail250 featured a parade of international tall ships and naval vessels that visited multiple U.S. ports, including New York City.

I recently learned of a fitting way to mark the 250th anniversary of the United States—bringing this post full circle back to my American Revolution ancestor, Capt. Benjamin Spaulding. His name, along with 110 other local Revolutionary War veterans, was engraved on a newly unveiled monument. The monument was dedicated in Marlborough, New Hampshire on July 4, 2026, as part of America’s 250th anniversary celebration.

Closing Thoughts

I hope you enjoyed this look back at how the United States has celebrated its founding over the years. If you’re anything like me, you may have even learned a couple of new words along the way—like sesquicentennial and semiquincentennial!

Drop a note in the comment section below of where you celebrated America’s 250th birthday. 

If you’re looking for a creative way to teach children about U.S. history and how your ancestors took part in that history, check out my children’s book Curious Cathy’s Quirky Questions and the companion, My Family History Journal HERE. 

NOTES

1. National Park Service. First Public Reading of the Declaration of Independence. Accessed from https://www.nps.gov/inde/learn/news/first-public-reading-of-the-declaration-of-independence.htm on April 13, 2026. 
2. National Archives. Declaration of Independence. Accessed from https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/declaration-of-independence on April 16, 2026. 
3. Prown, J. 2026. The Magazine Antiques. 1826: Fashioning the American Myth. Accessed from https://www.themagazineantiques.com/article/1826-fashioning-the-american-myth/ on April 14, 2026. 
4. Paranick, A. 2022. Library of Congress Blogs. Deaths of John Adams and Thomas Jefferson on July 4th. Accessed from https://blogs.loc.gov/headlinesandheroes/2022/07/deaths-of-john-adams-and-thomas-jefferson-on-july-4th/ on April 14, 2026. 
5. Braithwaite. Marking America’s 100th Birthday. Accessed from https://gobraithwaite.com/thinking/marketing-americas-100th-birthday/ on April 14, 2026. 
6. The American Presidency Project. Address at the Celebration of the 150th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Accessed from https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/address-the-celebration-the-150th-anniversary-the-declaration-independence-philadelphia on April 15, 2026. 
7. Goetz, M. The White House Historical Association. Gerald R. Ford’s Bicentennial Adventure. Accessed from https://www.whitehousehistory.org/gerald-r-fords-bicentennial-adventure on April 16, 2026. 
8. U.S. Army Center of Military History. U.S. Army Five-Star Generals. Accessed from https://history.army.mil/Research/Reference-Topics/5-Star/ on April 16, 2026. 
9. Featured Image: Wikimedia Commons. America 250 Flag. Accessed from https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:America250_flag.svg on April 15, 2026. 
10. Image: Historic New England. Ticket to 50th national festival July 4, 1826. Accessed from https://www.historicnewengland.org/explore/collections-access/gusn/354950 on April 14, 2026. 
11. Image: The Library Company of Philadelphia. United States Centennial Commission International Exhibition 1876.Accessed from https://www.lcpimages.org/centennial/collection.htm on April 14, 2026. 
12. Image: U.S. Department of War. 1926 Poster for Sesquicentennial International Exposition. Accessed from https://www.war.gov/News/Feature-Stories/Story/Article/4385930/looking-back-at-the-militarys-role-in-americas-150th-birthday-celebration/ on April 15, 2026.
13. Image: Wikimedia Commons. American Revolution Bicentennial U.S. Stamp. Accessed from https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:American_Revolution_Bicentennial_8c_1971_issue_U.S._stamp.jpg on April 16, 2026. 
14. Image: Display Sales. Betsy Ross Pole Banner. Accessed from https://displaysales.com/products/d778-betsy-ross-pole-banner on April 21, 2025.
15. Image: Cullen, Drew. 2026. Marlborough, NH Revolutionary War Monument.