Semicentennial of Birmingham

The Semicentennial of Birmingham (Birmingham's 50th Anniversary or Golden Anniversary) was celebrated during 1921.

Most of the festivities that took place between October 24-27 in Capitol Park (now Linn Park). Some of the events included a floral parade complete with a queen and a beauty pageant in the park.

The highlight of the celebration was a day-long visit by then-President Warren Harding on October 26. The President and First Lady were accompanied by Senator Oscar Underwood and other dignitaries for a full day of events celebrating the bustling growth of Birmingham.

A large-scale Pageant of Birmingham was staged at the newly-built Avondale Park amphitheatre, featuring costumed actors retelling the story of the city's birth. A 6,000 seat temporary grandstand was constructed to accommodate the crowds.

A Baseball double header at Rickwood Field included an early example of a throwback game as two teams competed under the "rules of the game in 1872".

The occasion inspired resident Idyl King Sorsby to design what has since been adopted as the Flag of Birmingham, and to propose that December 19, the date of the city's incorporation, be honored as "Birmingham Day".

References

• Birmingham Area Chamber of Commerce (1976) Century Plus: A Bicentennial Portrait of Birmingham, Alabama 1976 Birmingham: Oxmoor Press, p. 16.