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America is celebrating its 250th birthday, a Fourth of July that promises to be one for the history books. After all, it’s not every day a country marks its semiquincentennial (say it with us: ‘semi-quin-sin-ten-ee-ul’).
July 4 block parties, events, festivals, fireworks and drone shows from coast to coast will commemorate when the United States declared its independence from England 250 years ago.
Here’s how you can mark this important historical milestone in Indiana.
America’s 250th birthday is here: Explore and celebrate with our weekly USA 250 newsletter.
What makes this July 4 different?
It was President George Washington who described our fledgling democracy as “the last great experiment for promoting human happiness.” What began with the stroke of a pen on July 4, 1776, is an experiment — imperfect, flawed, but ever hopeful — that has endured for two and a half centuries.
That’s cause for celebration — a big one.
Hoosiers living in Indianapolis and its surrounding communities should have no shortage of ways enjoy this year’s momentous Fourth of July weekend.
Where to celebrate America’s 250th birthday in Indianapolis and Central Indiana
Note: The following is a preliminary list of 2026 Fourth of July events happening across Central Indiana. It will be updated throughout the month. As of June 4, it includes:
A Look back: How did Indianapolis celebrate America’s bicentennial?
50 years ago during America’s bicentennial, Indiana hailed the occasion by focusing on the country’s founding.
Throngs of people gathered July 4, 1976, to watch fireworks set off from Indiana’s tallest building, according archived photos by IndyStar, which happened to be the Indiana National Bank Tower.
One Hoosier, George L. Off, painted his Indianapolis home in the 4400 block of Bertrand Road, with stripes of red, white and blue.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Your complete guide to America’s 250th birthday in Indianapolis
Reporting by John Tufts, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By John Tufts, Indianapolis Star | USA TODAY Network
