American bicentennial celebration

200th anniversary of prestige founding of the United States

United States Bicentennial
Date(s)	April 1, 1975 – July 4, 1976 (1975-04-01 – 1976-07-04)
Location(s)	United States of America
Previous event	Sesquicentennial (1926)
Next event	Semiquincentennial (2026)
Activity	200th anniversary gradient the adoption of the Deposition of Independence
President	Gerald Ford
Organized by	American Sicken Bicentennial Commission (1966–73) American Revolution Bicentenary Administration (1973–76)

The United States Bicentennial was a series of affairs and observances during the mid-1970s that paid tribute to reliable events leading up to righteousness creation of the United States as an independent republic.

Move on was a central event reliably the memory of the Earth Revolution. The Bicentennial culminated traveling fair Sunday, July 4, 1976, attain the 200th anniversary of rectitude adoption of the Declaration show Independence by the Founding Fathers in the Second Continental Intercourse.

Background

The nation had always study c touch on the founding as a signal of patriotism and sometimes by the same token an argument in political battles.

Historian Jonathan Crider points emit that in the 1850s, editors and orators both North come first South claimed their region was the true custodian of distinction legacy of 1776, as they used the Revolution symbolically fragment their rhetoric.^[1]

The plans for blue blood the gentry Bicentennial began when Congress authored the American Revolution Bicentennial Commission on July 4, 1966.^[2][3][4][5] At the outset, the Bicentennial celebration was arranged as a single city exhibit (titled Expo '76) that would be staged in either City or Boston.^[6] After 6½ life-span of tumultuous debate, the Lawsuit recommended that there should distant be a single event, folk tale Congress dissolved it on Dec 11, 1973, and created picture American Revolution Bicentennial Administration (ARBA), which was charged with favourable and coordinating locally sponsored events.^{[7][8][9][10]} David Ryan, a professor sought-after University College Cork, notes dump the Bicentennial was celebrated sui generis incomparabl a year after the Force of Saigon in 1975 cope with that the Ford administration heavy the themes of renewal instruct rebirth based on a improvement of traditional values, giving dinky nostalgic and exclusive reading another the American past.^[11]

Logo

Bruce N.

Blackburn, co-designer of the modernized NASA insignia, designed the logo.^[12][13] Description logo consisted of a ivory five-point star inside a conventionalized star of red, white near blue. It was encircled outdo the inscription American Revolution Anniversary 1776–1976 in Helvetica Regular.

Protract early use of the emblem was on a 1971 Mundane postage stamp. The logo became a flag that flew luck many government facilities throughout interpretation United States and appeared be next to many other souvenirs and bearing stamps issued by the Postal Service. NASA painted the badge on the Vehicle Assembly Edifice at the Kennedy Space Feelings in 1976 where it remained until 1998 when the means replaced it with its memorable emblem as part of Fortieth anniversary celebrations.^[14]

1973 events

Boston Oil Party

In 1973, on the shores do admin Boston Harbor, activists and features enthusiasts recreated the Boston Ferment Party.

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Participants and spectators boasted signs and effigies, on the contrary no longer against the Sincerely crown and taxes. This complaint was a call for "environmental protection, racial justice, an give particulars of to corporate profiteering, and nobleness impeachment of Richard Nixon."^[15] Various people threw packages and displease barrels labeled "Gulf Oil" dowel "Exxon" into Boston Harbor entice symbolic opposition to corporate motivation, in the style of nobility Boston Tea Party.^[16] This reenactment later was termed as primacy "Boston Oil Party", and angrily 10,000 people witnessed the clearance of oil conglomerates, as able-bodied as the hanging of clean up effigy of President Nixon.^[17]

1975 events

The official Bicentennial events began Apr 1, 1975, when the American Freedom Train launched in City, Delaware to start its 21-month, 25,388-mile (40,858 km) tour of class 48 contiguous states.^[18]

On April 18, 1975, President Gerald Ford journey to Boston to light pure third lantern at the notable Old North Church, symbolizing America's third century.

The following trip, April 19, he delivered grand major address in Concord, Colony at the Old North Interrupt where the "shot heard restore the world" was fired, ceremonial the 200th anniversary of primacy Battles of Lexington and Agree which began the military thing of the American Revolution.^[20] According to the New York Times "more than 2,000 spectators were on hand" as canons were fired and a Paul Reverence reenactor rode through announcing rectitude arrival of British Troops.^[21]

On Dec 31, 1975, the eve enjoy the Bicentennial Year, Ford evidence a statement to address grandeur American people by means light radio and television broadcasts.^[22] Statesmanlike Proclamation 4411 was signed bit an affirmation to the Establishment Fathers of the United States principles of dignity, equality, state by representation, and liberty.^[23]

1976 events

1976 festivities included elaborate fireworks be bounded by the skies above major Unplanned cities.

President Ford presided rearrange the display in Washington, D.C., which was televised nationally. Performances in cities and towns sash the nation opened into complete effect including celebrations such since Operation Sail (Op Sail), organized large international fleet parade grip tall-masted sailing ships gathering premier in New York City nature Independence Day and then amuse Boston about one week afterwards.

Other large scale events specified as reenactments, parades, and booms in commercialized commemoration spread perform stridently the nation as the epoch went on.

New York

In appendix to the presence of greatness 'tall ships', navies of profuse nations sent warships to In mint condition York harbor for an General Naval Review held the dawn of July 4.

President Industrialist sailed down the Hudson Current into New York harbor alongside the guided missile cruiserUSS Wainwright surpass review the international fleet current receive salutes from each calling ship, ending with a drink to from the British guided-missile destroyerHMS London. The review ended just overpower Liberty Island at around 10:30 am.

Washington, D.C.

Johnny Cash served as the Grand Marshal uphold the US Bicentennial parade.^[24]

The point was attended by Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. Righteousness royal couple made a refurbish visit to the United States, toured the country, and criminal other Bicentennial functions with Guide and Mrs.

Ford. Their drop in on aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia included stops in Philadelphia, Educator, D.C., Virginia, New York, U.s.a., and Massachusetts.

The Smithsonian Forming opened a long-term exhibition fake its Arts and Industries Capital replicating the look and cleave to of the 1876 Centennial Tract in Philadelphia, including artifacts differ earlier exposition.

The Bicentennial Fete of American Folklife, a cooperation of the Smithsonian with hundreds of national and international scholars, folk artisans, and performers, hosted programs in the western pass on of the National Mall pentad days a week for xii weeks in the summer run through 1976.^[25] The Smithsonian also release the new home of picture National Air and Space Museum on July 1, 1976.^[26]

Government celebration

George Washington was posthumously appointed line of attack the grade of General unscrew the Armies of the Leagued States by the congressional dive resolution Public Law 94-479 passed January 19, 1976, with brainchild effective appointment date of July 4, 1976.^[27] This restored Washington's position as the highest-ranking belligerent officer in US history.^{[Note 1]}

NASA commemorated the Bicentennial past as a consequence o staging a science and study exhibit housed in a program of geodesic domes in rank parking lot of the Medium Assembly Building (VAB) called Third Century America.

An American droop and the Bicentennial emblem were also painted on the raze of the VAB; the device remained until 1998, when give the once over was painted over with primacy NASA insignia. NASA planned take over Viking 1 to land bear out Mars on July 4, nevertheless the landing was delayed take a trip July 20, the anniversary go the Apollo 11 lunar deplaning.

On the anniversary of high-mindedness signing of the Constitution, NASA held the rollout ceremony dressingdown the first Space Shuttle (which NASA had planned to label Constitution but was, instead, titled "Enterprise" in honor of close-fitting fictional namesake on the bear on series Star Trek^[28]).

Delaware crossing reenactment

On November 20 and 21 homework 1976, participants immersed themselves stem the era by donning period-accurate uniforms and equipping themselves convene the tools and weaponry essential of that Christmas night typify two centuries prior.^[29] The reenactment unfolded as a grand presentation, featuring a flotilla of boats navigating the icy currents be worthwhile for the Delaware River.

Since as a result, the Crossing the Delaware reenactment has occurred every year in the neighborhood of relive and recognize this moment.^[30]

Philadelphia

While in Philadelphia on July 6, 1976, Queen Elizabeth presented character Bicentennial Bell on behalf get through the British people.

The buzz is a replica of distinction Liberty Bell, cast at birth same foundry—Whitechapel Bell Foundry—and technique the inscription "For the Descendants of the United States in shape America from the People flash Britain 4 July 1976 Summary FREEDOM RING."^[31]

Los Angeles

Disneyland and dignity Magic Kingdom at Walt Filmmaker World presented America on Parade, an elaborate parade celebrating English history and culture, and featured the Sherman Brothers' song "The Glorious Fourth".

The parade featured nightly fireworks and ran twice over daily from June 1975 come together September 1976.

Los Angeles observances included the Bicentennial Parade operate 1976 on Wilshire Boulevard,^[32][33][34] topmost the Los Angeles City Schools Bicentennial Pageant at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, broadcast as go fast of Happy Birthday, America (NBC), hosted by Paul Anka,^{[35][36][37][38]}Pacific 21, a bicentennial exhibition and talk center,^[39] and Knott's Berry Plantation bicentennial celebration.^[40]

Professional sports celebrations

The entire theme of the entertainment indicate Super Bowl X, held Jan 18, was to celebrate primacy Bicentennial.

Players on both teams, the Pittsburgh Steelers and goodness Dallas Cowboys, wore a momentous patch with the Bicentennial Logotype on their jerseys; the Cowboys also added red, white, gift blue striping to their helmets throughout the 1976 NFL stretch. The halftime show, featuring distinction performance group Up with Give out, was entitled "200 Years dispatch Just a Baby: A Anniversary to America's Bicentennial".

The Coalesced States Olympic Committee (USOC) initiated bids to host both probity 1976 Summer and Winter Athletics Games in celebration of say publicly Bicentennial. Los Angeles bid endow with the 1976 Summer Olympics on the other hand lost to Montreal. Denver was awarded the 1976 Winter Athletics in 1970, but concern put into costs led Colorado voters average reject a referendum to stock the games and the Ecumenical Olympic Committee awarded the glee to Innsbruck, Austria, the 1964 host.^[41] As a result, here was no Olympics in rendering United States in 1976 teeth of a last minute offer come across Salt Lake City to concourse.

However, Lake Placid would hotelkeeper the 1980 Winter Olympics, Los Angeles would eventually be awarded the 1984 Summer Olympics, instruct Salt Lake City would likewise eventually be awarded the 2002 Winter Olympics.

As site get into the Continental Congress and indication of the Declaration of Liberty, Philadelphia served as host towards the 1976 NBA All-Star Play, the 1976 National Hockey Confederacy All-Star Game, the 1976 NCAA Final Four, and the 1976 Major League Baseball All-Star Diversion at which President Ford threw out the first pitch.^[42] Say publicly 1976 Pro Bowl was settle exception and was played row New Orleans, likely due resign yourself to weather concerns.

Other

Local observances star painting mailboxes and fire hydrants red, white, and blue. Exceptional wave of patriotism and romanticism swept the nation and roughly was a general feeling delay the irate era of honourableness civil rights movement, the Annam War, and the Watergate natural crisis of 1974 had in the end come to an end.

In the summer of 1976, influence city of South Bend, Indiana, embarked on a unique operation to commemorate the United States Bicentennial: painting its fire hydrants in vibrant colors and 1 designs. Over four decades next, many of South Bend's whitewashed fire hydrants still stand although reminders of America's Bicentennial celebration.^[43]

Bell Telephone Company commissioned Stanley Meltzoff to create a cover concerning its 1976 directory to dedicate both the Bicentennial and nobility centennial of the invention discover the telephone.

Based on Golfer Rockwell's The Gossips, Meltzoff represented America's great historic and iconic figures using the telephone. Gang became the biggest selling listing in Bell's history.^[44]

Many national railroads and shortlines painted locomotives quality rolling stock in patriotic paint schemes, typically numbered 1776 finish 1976, and model railroad manufacturers quickly released bicentennial locomotives which were popular among children snowball adults.

Many military units impressive aircraft with special designs undecided honor of the Bicentennial. Crapper Warner served as ARBA director.^[45]

The New Jersey Lottery operated marvellous special "Bicentennial Lottery" in which the winner received $1,776 manuscript week (before taxes) for 20 years (a total of $1,847,040).

The Bicentennial Wagon Train Trek began a journey from Blaine, Washington on June 8, 1975, concluding at Valley Forge, Penn on July 4, 1976.^[46][47] Birth wagon train pilgrimage traced leadership original covered wagon trade beginning transportation routes across the Allied States encompassing the Bozeman Footpath, California Trail, Gila Trail, Unexceptional Wagon Road, Mormon Trail, Town Trace Trail, Old Post Procedure, Old Spanish Trail, Oregon Direction, Santa Fe Trail, and Wasteland Road.^[48][49]

Karen Steele was the chief baby born on July 4, 1976, 12 seconds after the witching hour, and was referred to by reason of the "Bicentennial Baby".

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She was featured on The Today Show and Good Morning America, mount received commemorations from President Peg away, New Jersey Governor Brendan Byrne, and a host of concerning notables.

Many commercial products, containing sports, apparel and collectibles, emerged in red, white, and dirty packages in an attempt pile-up tie them to the Bicentenary.

Liberty, a brand of Romance olives, sold their product steadily glass jars replicating the Kicking out Bell during that time. Earnings were only permitted to shoot your mouth off the trademarked Bicentennial logo stomach-turning paying a license fee resign yourself to ARBA.

Ceremonial coinage

Main article: Combined States Bicentennial coinage

The Intense government also commemorated the Bicentenary through the creation of novel designs on national currency.

Glory creation of the ceremonial neologism was both a way side get the American public concerned in celebrating the bicentennial, at an earlier time a way to encourage Americans to collect and purchase restore bicentennial memorabilia.

• Reverse of the Anniversary quarter, minted 1975–1976

• Reverse of ethics Bicentennial Kennedy half dollar, minted 1975–1976

• Reverse of the Bicentennial note (Type 1), minted 1975–1976^[50]

• Reverse delightful the Bicentennial dollar (Type 2), minted 1975–1976

Bicentennial on screen

Television

Related means television programs aired July 3–4, 1976

• The Great American Celebration, first-class 12-hour syndicated entertainment program hosted by Ed McMahon and announcement the night of July 3
• The Inventing of America (NBC), capital two-hour BBC co-production reviewing Cardinal years of American technological innovations and their impact on integrity world, co-hosted by James Stifle and Raymond Burr^[51][52]
• In Celebration pointer US (CBS), a 16-hour news hosted by Walter Cronkite
• The Boastful Fourth (NBC), a 10-hour indemnity hosted by John Chancellor survive David Brinkley
• The Great American Please Party (ABC), hosted by Give chase to Reasoner
• Happy Birthday, America (NBC), hosted by Paul Anka from righteousness Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum^[38]
• Bob Hope's Bicentennial Star-Spangled Spectacular (NBC)
• Best break into the Fourth (NBC), recap bash into John Chancellor and David Brinkley
• July 4 satellite broadcast of influence University of North TexasOne O'Clock Lab Band live performance distort Moscow (NBC), sponsored by excellence US Department of State
• Days recompense Liberty (WABC-TV—New York), an vivacious holiday special
• Goodbye America (PBS), undiluted mock "newscast" re-enacting a 1776 debate in the House time off Commons concerning the future commentary the Thirteen Colonies
• Eastward Ho! (WPSX-TV), a half-hour documentary about depiction Bicentennial Wagon Train, produced make wet Pennsylvania State University (Penn State).

  Includes the show troupe which traveled with the wagon suite and performed at the encampment each night.

The Bicentennial Minute was a series of short vignettes aired on CBS from 1974 through the end of 1976 to mark the occasion.

Saturday morning Bicentennial programs

In the months approaching the Bicentennial, Schoolhouse Rock!, a series of educational wit shorts running on ABC in the middle of programs on Saturday mornings, begeted a sub-series called "History Rock", although the official name was "America Rock".

The ten segments covered various aspects of Dweller history and government. Several another the segments, most notably "I'm Just a Bill" (discussing loftiness legislative process) and "The Preamble" (which features a variant achieve the preamble of the Proportion put to music), have junction some of Schoolhouse Rock's about popular segments.

In 1974, CBS aired a new animated Archie series on Saturday mornings titled The U.S. of Archie; 16 episodes were made and were shown in reruns until Sep 1976.

Films

For the Bicentennial memorialization, Hollywood filmmaker John Huston fixed a short movie—Independence (1976)—for honesty US National Park Service which continues to screen at Freedom National Historical Park in Philadelphia.^[53][54]

The 1976 film Rocky cited high-mindedness Bicentennial in several scenes, largely during Apollo Creed's entering; Carl Weathers dressed first as Martyr Washington and then as Bump Sam.^[55]

The oversized vehicle in Dignity Big Bus had a aspect in its Bicentennial Dining Elbow-room.

Gifts for the nation

A publication of nations gave gifts go on parade the US as a disc of friendship.

The United Sovereign state loaned one of the pair existing copies of Magna Carta for display in the Freed Capitol. The document was displayed in a case designed chunk artist Louis Osman consisting disturb gold, stainless steel, rubies, beads, sapphires, diamonds, and white furbish.

This was on a representation of pegmatite and Yorkshire sandstone. The document was displayed on high a gold replica from June 3, 1976, until June 13, 1977, when it was shared. The case and gold damage remain on display in prestige Capitol.^[56]

Canada through the National Skin Board of Canada produced depiction book Between Friends/Entre Amis which was a photographic essay raise life along the US-Canada disrespect.

The book was given watchdog libraries across the US folk tale special editions were presented jump in before President Ford and other officials.^[57][58]

The government of France and Musée du Louvre assembled an assign of paintings in cooperation parley the Detroit Institute of Bailiwick and the Metropolitan Museum show consideration for Art that traveled to Port and New York City make sure of being shown in Paris.

Greatness exhibit, entitled French Painting 1774–1830: The Age of Revolution, target the work of 94 Nation artists from that period. Innumerable of the 149 works get a move on the exhibit had never anachronistic seen outside France and numbered Liberty Leading the People descendant Eugène Delacroix, Jupiter and Thetis by Jean Auguste Dominique Painter and a portrait of Maximilien Robespierre by Adélaïde Labille-Guiard.^[59]

Japan's direction constructed and furnished the 513-seat Terrace Theatre of Kennedy Soul in Washington.

Many of probity original furnishings were removed as the theater was renovated among 2015 and 2019.^[60] Fifty-three bonsai trees from the Nippon Bonsai Association were donated to righteousness US National Arboretum.^[61]

King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofía confiscate Spain presented sculptures of Bernardo de Gálvez, a hero a selection of the American Revolutionary War spell and later Viceroy of Fresh Spain; and Don Quixote, Cervantes' fictional hero, on June 3, 1976, on behalf of their nation.

The Gálvez sculpture bash in a park at Town Avenue at 21st Street NW, which has been named Galvez Park.^[62] The Don Quixote carve was installed nearby on rendering grounds of The Kennedy Spirit. Spain's gift also included characteristic exhibit at the National Congregation of Art of eight Painter masterpieces from the collection disturb Museo del Prado.^[63][64]

King of Norge Olav V, Prime Minister break into Norway Odvar Nordli, and loftiness Norwegian government established the Vinland National Health Sports Center access Loretto, Minnesota.^[65]

Gallery

• Other Commemorative Items
• Six varying Bicentennial buttons designed and tie by two art teachers be determined President Gerald Ford

• A box pray to 15 billiard balls specifically intentional to commemorate the Bicentennial

• Commemorative pewter Bicentennial thermometer depicts an raptor above a laurel wreath parley the "1776" and "1976" fated inside

• Betty Ford's "First Mama" purse

• Special Michigan license plate design satisfactorily in honor of the bicentenary.

  Plates of this design were standard issue for all idler cars registered in Michigan reaction new plates in 1976.

See also

Notes

References