American Revolution Bicentennial: Difference between revisions
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
(→Events) |
(→1976: Apparently it took a few days.) |
||
| (3 intermediate revisions by 2 users not shown) | |||
| Line 2: | Line 2: | ||
The '''American Revolution Bicentennial''' was a year-long nationwide celebration of the 200th anniversary of the [[American Revolution]], observed in [[1975]] and [[1976]]. In [[Birmingham]] the anniversary was observed with numerous events, ceremonies and recognitions. | The '''American Revolution Bicentennial''' was a year-long nationwide celebration of the 200th anniversary of the [[American Revolution]], observed in [[1975]] and [[1976]]. In [[Birmingham]] the anniversary was observed with numerous events, ceremonies and recognitions. | ||
Birmingham was selected as one of five "working people's Bicentennial cities" for the year. | Birmingham was selected as one of five "working people's Bicentennial cities" for the year. [[Frank Parsons]] chaired the '''Birmingham Bicentennial Committee'''. | ||
==Events== | ==Events== | ||
* | ===1975=== | ||
* [[June 23]]-[[June 29|29]]: The [[American Bicentennial Theatre]] premiered Thornton Wilder's “The Skin of Our Teeth" at the [[BJCC Theater]]. | * An exhibition of 50 dog portraits by [[Eleanor Bridges]] toured the state. | ||
* The Bicentennial Flag was hoisted over [[Legion Field]] | * [[June 23]]-[[June 29|29]], [[1975]]: The [[American Bicentennial Theatre]] premiered Thornton Wilder's “The Skin of Our Teeth" at the [[BJCC Theater]]. | ||
* The same flag was presented to the city of Birmingham | * [[September 8]]: The Bicentennial Flag was hoisted over [[Legion Field]] prior to a nationally-televised game between the [[1975 Alabama Crimson Tide football|Alabama Crimson Tide]] and the Missouri Tigers. | ||
* A [[Spirit of Labor Festival]] was held at [[Western Hills Mall]] | * [[September 15]]: The same flag was presented to the city of Birmingham at a noon ceremony at [[Birmingham City Hall]], formally launching the city's celebration. | ||
* [[October 23]]-[[October 25|25]]: A [[Spirit of Labor Festival]] was held at [[Western Hills Mall]]. | |||
* [[November 10]]–[[November 11|11]]: The Bicentennial [[Veterans Day]] celebrations included an unprecedented scale of entertainments for the award banquet and parade. | |||
* [[November 21]]-[[November 22|22]]: The Smithsonian Institution sponsored performances of "The Music and Dance of the Age of Jefferson" at the [[BJCC Theater]] as part of a four-city tour. | |||
* [[November 27]]: The first [[Vulcan Run]] took place under the name "Bicentennial Run". | * [[November 27]]: The first [[Vulcan Run]] took place under the name "Bicentennial Run". | ||
* | |||
* | ===1976=== | ||
* [[Regions Center#Special lighting|Special lighting]] was displayed on the [[Regions Center|First National-Southern Natural Building]] depicting the American flag. | |||
* April [[1976]]: [[Moon Tree]]s were planted at the [[Birmingham Botanical Gardens]] and three other sites in Alabama. | |||
* [[May 27]]–[[May 31|31]]: The [[American Freedom Train]] stopped in Birmingham for public tours and to change locomotives. | |||
* [[September 16]]–[[September 19|19]]: [[Tannehill Ironworks]] Furnace No. 1 was refired to produce pig iron for the first time in 111 years. | |||
==Other connections== | ==Other connections== | ||
Latest revision as of 22:50, 23 April 2014
The American Revolution Bicentennial was a year-long nationwide celebration of the 200th anniversary of the American Revolution, observed in 1975 and 1976. In Birmingham the anniversary was observed with numerous events, ceremonies and recognitions.
Birmingham was selected as one of five "working people's Bicentennial cities" for the year. Frank Parsons chaired the Birmingham Bicentennial Committee.
Events
1975
- An exhibition of 50 dog portraits by Eleanor Bridges toured the state.
- June 23-29, 1975: The American Bicentennial Theatre premiered Thornton Wilder's “The Skin of Our Teeth" at the BJCC Theater.
- September 8: The Bicentennial Flag was hoisted over Legion Field prior to a nationally-televised game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Missouri Tigers.
- September 15: The same flag was presented to the city of Birmingham at a noon ceremony at Birmingham City Hall, formally launching the city's celebration.
- October 23-25: A Spirit of Labor Festival was held at Western Hills Mall.
- November 10–11: The Bicentennial Veterans Day celebrations included an unprecedented scale of entertainments for the award banquet and parade.
- November 21-22: The Smithsonian Institution sponsored performances of "The Music and Dance of the Age of Jefferson" at the BJCC Theater as part of a four-city tour.
- November 27: The first Vulcan Run took place under the name "Bicentennial Run".
1976
- Special lighting was displayed on the First National-Southern Natural Building depicting the American flag.
- April 1976: Moon Trees were planted at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens and three other sites in Alabama.
- May 27–31: The American Freedom Train stopped in Birmingham for public tours and to change locomotives.
- September 16–19: Tannehill Ironworks Furnace No. 1 was refired to produce pig iron for the first time in 111 years.
Other connections
- Homewood renamed the section of Montgomery Highway running through downtown as Independence Drive.
- The Birmingham Area Chamber of Commerce published Century Plus: A Bicentennial Portrait of Birmingham, Alabama 1976 featuring photographs and articles documenting the recent progress of the city and region.
- Richard N. Murray coordinated the Bicentennial exhibition "America as Art" for the Smithsonian's National Collection of Fine Arts.