It has only happened four times in all of American history: a milestone national birthday.

On July 4th, 2026 — just weeks away — the United States of America turns two hundred and fifty years old.

A quarter millennium. The Semiquincentennial. And no, I did not make that word up. That is what you call a 250th anniversary, America has done this before. I'm talking about the Bicentennial. 1976. And the last time we did it, fifty years ago, it was one of the most wild, joyful, politically messy, commercially chaotic celebrations this country has ever thrown. Can America do it again for 250?