History

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As part of the conversation about America’s 250th, it’s worth looking back at how earlier generations marked major milestones.

In 1826, the nation’s 50th anniversary took an unexpected and somber turn when Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, both signers of the Declaration of Independence, died on the same day, July 4.

Fifty years later, the 1876 centennial coincided with the nation’s first World’s Fair in Philadelphia. More than 8 million visitors attended, encountering innovations like Alexander Graham Bell’s telephone and Thomas Edison’s automatic telegraph.

That celebration also raised awareness about preserving the nation’s founding documents. When President Ulysses S. Grant arranged for the Declaration of Independence to be displayed in Philadelphia, concerns about its condition helped spark efforts that eventually led to the creation of a national archival system.

The bicentennial in 1976 brought a different kind of nationwide celebration. One of its most memorable features was the American Freedom Train — a 26-car traveling exhibit that journeyed 25,000 miles across the country from 1975 to 1976. Over 8 million Americans saw historic artifacts, including George Washington’s copy of the Constitution, the original Louisiana Purchase, the pulpit used by Martin Luther King Jr., and a moon rock.

As we approach the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, which milestones in American history stand out most to you?

Images:
Centennial Exhibition Hall, 1876. From Philadelphia Encyclopedia.
The Freedom Train passes through Naval Air Station, Miramar, California, January 1976. From Wikimedia Commons.
Bicentennial Poster, 1976. From National Archives.

Sources:
The Story of America’s Freedom Trains https://www.freedomtrain.org/
National Archives Foundation https://archivesfoundation.org/newsletter/americas-milestone-birthdays/.