Daniel A. Nelson Bicentennial Collection

This article describes the excitement and planning behind the U.S. Bicentennial in 1976, encouraging Americans to honor their history and work toward a better future. It describes how communities across the nation are creating meaningful projects that reflect their pride in America and hopes for progress in areas like education, health, and equality.

This letter proposes a nationwide minute of prayer followed by bell ringing, horn honking, whistle blowing & drum banging on July 4, 1976, so that all Americans could participate in the Bicentennial.

This article describes a Bicentennial wagon train pilgrimage that passed through Wyoming on its way to Valley Forge, Pennsylvania and some of the the horseback riders that accompanied it.

This article details the various Wyoming Bicentennial projects that were awarded federal grant money through the Wyoming Bicentennial Commission.

This article describes some of the Bicentennial-related celebrations and activities planned for July 4, 1976 across Wyoming.

This article covers various projects planned for Laramie in 1975 and 1976 associated with the Bicentennial.

In this photo, eighth-grade students reenact the signing of the Declaration of Independence as part of Bicentennial-related activities in Laramie.

This article covers a Laramie Bicentennial project to name some of Laramie's alleys after famous and infamous historical figures.

This article describes a new logo developed by the Wyoming Bicentennial Commission. It adapts the Wyoming bucking horse symbol, and includes a stylized representation of the Grand Tetons.

This article describes July 4, 1976 festivities in Washington D.C. as well as naturalization ceremonies in Miami Beach and Chicago. It also covers the nationwide bell ringing to commemorate the Bicentennial.

This article details the plans for reenacting a Bicentennial-related Pony Express ride, which will include volunteer riders who will transport mail across Albany County.

This article explains how people in over 5,000 U.S. communities, including towns in Wyoming, planned to gather in "Bicentennial Town Meetings" to share their ideas and concerns about the future of the country. These meetings encouraged everyday citizens to help shape America’s future by coming together to talk about issues important to them.

This document was prepared as part of the Laramie Bicentennial Town Meeting project. It describes economic, political and cultural challenges facing Laramie in 1976 as well as proposals to address those challenges.

This publication, developed by the National Endowment for the Humanities for the Bicentennial, provides a calendar of topics intended to guide a nationwide discussion on television, radio, and in the press. Topics covered range from unalienable rights to growing up in America.

This script was broadcast on Laramie's KOWB radio station before the April 24, 1976 Bicentennial Laramie Town Meeting.

The letter advertising the 1976 Bicentennial Laramie Town Meeting was distributed to all Laramie elementary school students.

This Bicentennial calendar lists historical happenings for each day of the month for the academic year. It was distributed to  all Albany County public school teachers and designed for them to share historical facts with their students.

This brochure, distributed by the American Revolution Bicentennial Administration, answers frequently asked questions about the Bicentennial.

This newspaper was published by the American Revolution Bicentennial Administration.

This article describes various historically related activities occurring in Boston in the lead up to the Bicentennial.

This newsletter published by the Wyoming Bicentennial Commission highlights activities across Wyoming related to the Bicentennial.

The article describes the 1876 Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, where Americans celebrated 100 years of independence with exhibits of exciting new inventions. It shows how the event inspired pride in the nation's progress while also raising questions about how fast technology was changing people’s lives.

This article details plans for Bicentennial-related events in Lexington and Concord Massachusetts. It also provides an account of historic events at Lexington and Concord during the Revolutionary War.

This article includes interviews with Jeremy Rifkin, Co-Director of the People's Bicentennial Commission and John W. Warner, Administrator of the American Revolution Bicentennial Administration. The two men have very different views on the Bicentennial.

This magazine, designed for students, includes suggestions for celebrating the Bicentennial and a quiz about the American Revolution.

These three press releases are all related to Bicentennial bell ringing. In addition to announcing the simultaneous National bell ringing on July 4th, 1976, they also describe the history of the Liberty Bell and the historical tradition of bell ringing.

This newsletter published by the Wyoming Bicentennial Commission highlights activities across Wyoming related to the Bicentennial.

This brochure, prepared by the U.S. Postal Service's Bicentennial Junior Committees of Correspondence, was distributed to school principals across the U.S. It encouraged students to write about their school's Bicentennial celebrations.

The opera, The Sweetwater Lynching, was written by George Hufsmith and performed as part of the Wyoming Bicentennial celebration. 

The French Ambassador's remarks cover the long historic relationship between France and the U.S. and the role of France in celebrating the Bicentennial.

This 1975 calendar of Bicentennial events gives insight into the breadth of Bicentennial-related activities across the state of Wyoming for a full year ahead of the actual Bicentennial.

This brochure outlines the history of wagon trains and shows the routes to be followed by various wagon trains participating in the Bicentennial Wagon Train Pilgrimage. The Pilgrimage was to be a replay of history, but in reverse (traveling West to East), ending in Pennsylvania on July 4, 1976.

This article discusses the opening at the University of Wyoming of a Bicentennial-related exhibition entitled "The Black Presence in the Era of the American Revolution, 1770-1800".

This article covers the arrival of the Bicentennial Wagon Train at Fort Laramie.

This article discusses the hope that the Shoshone communities of Ft. Washakie and Crowheart can qualify as Bicentennial Communities.

This historical abstract from the American Revolution Bicentennial Administration discusses the history of the American Flag and Flag Day.

These letters from Pony Express '76 outline the logistics for re-creating the cross country Pony Express ride as part of Bicentennial celebrations. The ride is tightly timed and crosses Wyoming.

This press release describes the Pony Express re-creation which began June 22, 1976 as part of Bicentennial celebrations.

The article encourages students and teachers to explore the diverse people and cultures that shaped America in 1776, including Native Americans, African Americans, women, and immigrants from many backgrounds. It emphasizes that the Bicentennial is a time to recognize everyone's role in building the nation—not just the famous Founding Fathers.

This article is an edited version of a speech by Jeremy Rifkin of the Peoples Bicentennial Commission. Rifkin challenges corporate leaders by reminding them that the American Bicentennial celebrates a revolution against tyranny and economic injustice—not a marketing campaign. He argues that modern corporations betray the democratic values of 1776 by prioritizing profits over people and calls for a new grassroots movement to restore true economic and political freedom.

This press release from the American Revolution Bicentennial Administration  highlights how Native American communities have begun participating in the U.S. Bicentennial by creating cultural centers, organizing powwows, and preserving their heritage through storytelling, exhibits, and language projects. It emphasizes that the Bicentennial is a time to recognize Native contributions to American history.

This press release from the American Revolution Bicentennial Administration notes that many are making major Bicentennial-related travel plans, raising concerns about overcrowding, accommodations, and public services. To help, officials have encouraged hospitality programs, and promoted diverse local celebrations so all Americans could enjoy the Bicentennial experience, whether traveling far or staying close to home.

This press release from the American Revolution Bicentennial Administration provides examples of how people across the country are preparing for the Bicentennial by planning local and national events. It encourages people of all ages & backgrounds to get involved in creative projects to celebrate America’s 200th birthday in meaningful ways.