J.C. Newman Cigars To Have Official Branding Commemorating America’s 250th Anniversary
On July 4, 1776, America’s forefathers gathered in Philadelphia to sign the Declaration of Independence, and a country was born. For those who haven’t been paying attention (or aren’t mathematically inclined), that will be exactly 250 years ago come July 4, 2026. Naturally, this is an anniversary that calls for a celebration. And who knows how to celebrate anniversaries better than the cigar industry? One of our very own will have the honor to be a part of the official commemoration, as J.C. Newman Cigar Co. has partnered with the United States Semiquincentennial Commission to brand the cigars rolled at their El Reloj factory with the official “America250” logo.
You won’t find the word semiquincentennial in Webster’s or the Oxford dictionary, but it means half of 500, using the words semi (half), quin (five) and centennial (100). The United States Semiquincentennial Commission was established by Congress in 2016 to coordinate the 250th anniversary celebration. America250 is a nonprofit, bipartisan organization that supports the Commission. America250 is composed of 16 private citizens, four U.S. Representatives and four U.S. Senators, each appointed by the House and Senate leadership of both parties. The group is charged with leading programming and engaging Americans in the continued festivities, which includes licensing the America250 branding for unique, American-made products.
According to J.C Newman, the commission agreed to a licensing partnership with the cigar company since the company’s 115-year-old El Reloj cigar factory is the last large cigar factory still operating in the United States. Cigars, and especially tobacco, have a long history in America. Tobacco was one of the most important crops and sources of growth in the early days of the colonies, particularly in the south. The leaf has close ties to many of our national heroes, such as Presidents George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, but its roots go deep in this land, well before America was established, as a vital crop for many indigenous groups.
“J.C. Newman is proud to roll official cigars of the 250th Anniversary of the United States,” says Drew Newman, fourth-generation owner of J.C. Newman. “It is our privilege to keep America’s historic cigar-making tradition alive by handcrafting exquisite cigars in America.” Starting next month, cigars rolled at the El Reloj factory in Tampa will be packaged with a secondary foot band featuring the official America250 seal.
This branding will be added to all cigars J.C. Newman rolls by hand in Tampa, which includes lines such as The American, Angel Cuesta Rosado, Angel Cuesta Shade, LeRoy Neiman and Tampa Smokers.
According to J.C. Newman, the first release will ship next month, with a big release to follow next year.
