You’ve heard of “centennial” (100 years), “sesquicentennial’’ (150 years) and “bicentennial’’ (200 years). In less than five years, the United States will begin celebrating its next milestone - “semiquincentennial” (250 years). It was in 1776 that the original 13 colonies proclaimed their independence from England.

While the word “semiquincentennial” doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue just yet, even probably sounds foreign to you now, trust me, by 2026 when the festivities begin, I predict it will be a household word.

The word may look like a tongue-twister, but it is very logical for what it designates. “Quin” is the Latin root for “five,” so “quincentennial” is 500 years. “Semi” is the Latin root for “half,” so half of a “quincentennial” is a “semiquincentennial.” Easy, right?

Pennsylvania will have an outsized role in this celebration since the Keystone State was one of the original 13 colonies, and Philadelphia, in particular, was at the center of some of the major events during the early days of our country, especially in the framing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776 and the Constitution in 1787.

Preparations for the big celebration have been going on for more than two years. In October 2018, Gov. Tom Wolf appointed supermarket magnate and philanthropist Patrick Burns as chair of the Pennsylvania Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial. Wolf and all living former governors, Tom Corbett, Ed Rendell, Tom Ridge and Mark Schweiker are serving as honorary co-chairs.

Of the other 21 committee members, just three are from the area of eastern Pennsylvania outside of the Philadelphia and suburban Philadelphia areas - Vincent Galko of Roaring Brook Township, and Virginia McGregor of Scranton, both in Lackawanna County, and State Rep. Wendi Thomas of Bucks County.

There are no committee members from any of the five Times News counties, an omission I do not understand. Certainly there should be representation from the Carbon-Schuylkill, Lehigh Valley and Poconos.

“As the birthplace of American freedom, Pennsylvania will play a critical role in the celebration of this major milestone,” said Wolf who expects that our state’s heritage will be at the forefront of the recognition of America’s 250th birthday.

A century ago, Philadelphia was the site of the Sesquicentennial International Exposition, a world’s fair event. Then, 50 years later in 1976, the nation celebrated our Bicentennial.

I have vivid memories of me, as a young man of 37, touring the Freedom Train, which made a stop in East Stroudsburg. President Gerald Ford dedicated the Freedom Train in December 1974. Then, during the next two years, the train visited all 48 contiguous states.

More than 7 million of us toured the train’s display cars, which presented American history through a variety of artifacts, including a copy of the Constitution owned by George Washington, the original Louisiana Purchase document, even World Heavyweight boxing champ Joe Frazier’s trunks that he wore for some of his most famous fights and the dress Judy Garland wore in the classic 1939 film “The Wizard of Oz.”

One of the highlights of the bicentennial was the flotilla of tall ships and war ships that came from numerous countries and docked in New York City, site of the bicentennial parade where country and pop singer Johnny Cash was Grand Marshal.

The event was attended by Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, who made a state visit to the United States, toured the country and attended several bicentennial events with President and Mrs. Ford.

They also made a stop in Philadelphia aboard the royal yacht Britannia. While in Philadelphia, the queen presented the Bicentennial Bell on behalf of the British people. This was a replica of the Liberty Bell and cast at the same foundry. It bore the inscription “For the People of the United States of America from the People of Britain, 4 July, 1976. Let Freedom Ring.”

There will be observances all over the country to mark the semiquincentennial, including some here in our own backyard.

James Logue Jr., the Carbon County representative for the America250PA organization which is heading the planning statewide, gave the Carbon County commissioners an update recently after which the commissioners unanimously adopted a resolution of support.

I specifically remember the wave of patriotism that overtook the country during the bicentennial celebration. Everywhere we went, homes, businesses, fences and utility poles were festooned in red, white and blue bunting.

Wouldn’t it be nice to recapture that American spirit again, especially during this era of incivility and political upheaval?

By Bruce Frassinelli | tneditor@tnonline.com

The foregoing opinions do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editorial Board or Times News LLC.