The USA's 250th!

Semiquincentennial, Bisesquicentennial, Sestercentennial, and Quarter Millennial.

‘Worship YHWH your God; He will deliver you from the hand of all your enemies.’ However, the nation would not listen but persisted in their former practices. Even as the people were worshiping the Lord, they served their idols’ - II Kings 17:39-41

July 4, 2026, is America’s Bisesquicentennial

This is a post you’ll remember for the next couple of years. Mark it to read it when you get confused by the terminology of America’s next big annivesary as a nation.

I’ll explain four words you’ve never heard before but will incessantly hear for the next 2 years.

America is about to celebrate its 250th anniversary on July 4, 2026.

Let’s dive into the world of words, celebrating America’s 250th anniversary in 2026!

The Etymology of the Words

Who doesn’t love a bit of linguistic detective work?

• Semiquincentennial comes from Latin: “semi” (half), “quin” (five), and “centennial” (100 years), meaning half of 500 years—250!

• Bisesquicentennial blends “bi” (two), “sesqui” (one and a half), and “centennial,” suggesting a quirky two times 150 years (math’s fuzzy here, but it’s aiming for 250).

• Sestercentennial borrows from “sestertius,” a Roman coin worth two and a half units, plus “centennial,” landing at two and a half centuries.

• Quarter Millennial is simple English: a quarter of a millennium, or 250 years. Cool, right?

Now, why should Americans care about these syllable-stuffed oddballs?