NJ’s ‘Crossroads of the Revolution’ license plate from 1976. (Photo: Shorebeat)
The things you find during a move will often surprise you.
While clearing out our family’s home of over 30 years this summer as it was being prepared to be sold, a collection of some very classic license plates spanning multiple states was found in a crawl space. The plates had been attached to cars of various makes and models, but one stood out among the rest: a commemorative New Jersey license plate celebrating the United States bicentennial – the 200th anniversary of America’s founding, from 1976.
As 2025 nears and America begins planning celebrations to mark its 250th birthday in 2026, an Ocean County legislator is reviving the idea – this time to create a “Semiquincentennial” plate.
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Last week, state Sen. Jim Holzapfel’s (R-Ocean), co-sponsored a bill with Sen. Patrick Diegnan’s (D-Middlesex) to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution with a special license plate. The bill quickly passed committee and will move on to a full vote in the legislature. The new plate will likely be more formal than its 1976 cousin, and the state will have to address the issue of plates being required in both the front and rear of vehicles.
“New Jersey played a pivotal role in the American Revolution, serving as a key battleground for many important conflicts,” said Holzafpel. “This license plate commemorates the state’s significant contributions to our nations fight for independence and highlights the sacrifices made by New Jerseyans. I also want to thank Senator Diegnan for his partnership on this effort.”
July 2025 will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution. New Jersey saw more military engagements than almost any other state, highlighting its significance in the birth of our nation.
NJ’s ‘Crossroads of the Revolution’ license plate from 1976. (Photo: Shorebeat)
NJ’s ‘Crossroads of the Revolution’ license plate from 1976. (Photo: Shorebeat)
The design of the license plate has not yet been decided, but perhaps the 1976 plate could shed some light on what such a tag might look like. The slogan, “Crossroads of the Revolution” appears at the top of the plate, with 13 stars representing the original 13 colonies and the first American flag. In the middle, “NJ 76” is printed in red and blue letting, with a commemorative date on the bottom.
Legislators are preparing for a multi-year celebration of the founding of the United States with extra budget dollars expected to be appropriated for the improvement of historic sites, parks and battlefields, such as Washington Crossing State Park in Mercer County, where a new visitor center is under construction. The park is built on the site where General George Washington made his historic crossing of the Delaware River on Christmas Night in 1776.
