250 Years is a BIG Deal

This is the year of the United States of America’s 250^th or …

1. Sestercentennial
2. Bisesquicentennial
3. Semiquincentennial
4. Quarter-millennial
5. Quarter millennium

… anniversary.

So, which is it? Give it your best guess before going to the dictionary. I’ll hum Yankee Doodle Dandy while you ponder.

Time is up. It was somewhat of a trick question since all of them are proper references to a 250^th anniversary. Numbers 4 and 5 are the simplest since most folks can figure out what they mean without going to the dictionary – and pronouncing them presents no challenge. Number 2 is rarely used, but technically correct – as is number 1.

But … number 3 is the official term for this occasion. It is a bit of a tongue twister. I suspect most of us will be referring to the occasion as America’s “two hundred and fiftieth” anniversary. Only the over educated snobs will be calling it America’s “sem … uh … semi …. semiquin … semiquincentennial”.

No matter what you call it, it is a BIG (expletive deleted) deal. The 200^th anniversary was a big deal – and “bicentennial” was much easier to pronounce. I know, I was around for that one. It was a grand celebration – with parades, television documentaries, celebratory events in every community and then there were those magnificent tall ships. Lady Liberty had a makeover. And souvenirs were available in virtually every retail store, And the Independence Day fireworks were among the most awe-inspiring ever. Flags everywhere. (Okay, my description may be a little romanticized, but it was a very impressive year-long celebration.)

Since 250 years is an even more impressive anniversary – a quarter millennium – one might expect an even more grandiose celebration. After all, the American experiment is the oldest functioning democracy in the world. American Exceptionalism has been the pride and envy of the world. America has been the magnet for millions of people of every demographic to migrate and seek refuge. More than any place on earth, America has been a nation built on immigration and cultural assimilation – a melting pot.

Yes, this semiquincentennial year can be a magnificent celebration – an era of unity, patriotism and common cause. But I worry. I worry that we may have lost the “Spirit of ’76.” We are again that “divided house” that Lincoln warned against in his time. Can we find the grounding and spirit to reunite the American culture.

Benjamin Franklin, shortly before his death, lamented: “I began to be sorry I was born so soon since I cannot have the happiness of knowing what will be known 100 years hence.” We are now 150 years past the target date of Old Ben’s memorial wish — but we can safely assume that the every-curious Franklin would be even more intrigued to see the results of his work this anniversary year.

We are the Founders’ current legacy generation. I wonder if Franklin would be happy with what he would have seen? Have we kept the Republic as he admonished us to do? How 2026 unfolds will give us the answer.

So, there ‘tis.