PROVIDENCE, RI – Secretary of State Gregg M. Amore, chair of the Rhode Island Semiquincentennial 250th Commission (RI250), today announced the release of the 2026 Semiquincentennial commemorative holiday ornament, honoring Rhode Island's historic Act of Renunciation and its distinction as the first American colony to renounce allegiance to King George III.
The 2026 limited-edition ornament commemorates the 250th anniversary of the Act of Renunciation, adopted by the Rhode Island General Assembly on May 4, 1776. The Act removed the King's authority from official oaths and legal documents, formally asserting Rhode Island's intention to govern itself as a free and independent colony. The ornament features the historic Act alongside the Old State House in Providence, where the measure was approved, honoring Rhode Island's early commitment to independence. The 2026 ornament was included in the Semiquincentennial Time Capsule sealed by the 119th Congress at the US Capitol on behalf of Rhode Island. The capsule will be opened by the 244th Congress in 2276, marking the nation's 500th anniversary.
As the nation's 250th anniversary year draws to a close and the RI250 Commission prepares to sunset, the Commission has also released a special miniature commemorative set featuring all five holiday ornaments released since 2022. The collection reflects Rhode Island's contributions to the American story, with designs honoring the RI250 Commission, the Burning of the Gaspee, the Act of Renunciation, Rhode Island's legacy as the birthplace of religious freedom, and the First Rhode Island Regiment, the nation's first integrated regiment.
Together, the 2026 ornament and miniature commemorative set offer a lasting keepsake of Rhode Island's observance of the semiquincentennial commemoration and the people, places, and events that shaped the state's role in our shared history.
Produced locally in Lincoln, Rhode Island, by Beacon Designs by ChemArt in collaboration with the Commission, the ornaments are available through the Rhode Island State House Gift Shop. The 2026 commemorative ornament is $28, and the commemorative set is $49.
The Rhode Island Semiquincentennial 250th Commission (RI250) was established in 2021 by the General Assembly to coordinate activities and initiatives commemorating the nation's 250th anniversary in 2026. The Commission works with communities and partners across the state to honor Rhode Island's significant role in the American Revolution and its contributions to the nation's founding ideals. To learn more, visit rhodeisland250.org.
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