Known now as a day of patriotism and enjoying time off from work, the Fourth of July began the journey to becoming a quintessential American holiday in 1776, when the Second Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence.

It's been 249 years since the Declaration of Independence was passed by the Continental Congress in 1776, which the holiday commemorates.

Here's what we know about America250, the catchy name for next year's Independence Day milestone, and who's behind the planning for it.