The border vidette., 1932-11-26
THE CLOSE OF THE HlCENTEN-
NAL CELEBRATION

NAL CELEBRATION
The word wide George Wash
ingtou Bicentennial Celebration
Was brought to al official close
With Thanksgiving services in
the churches in honor of the
Father of His Country. The
United States George Washing
ton Bicentennial Commission re-
ports that Thanksgiving services
were held by the churches Of all
denominations in every city in
America and in the large cities
abroad.
For the past nine months,
since February %. millions of
people ia all corners Of the world
have participated in what was
the greatest celebration Of his
tory ia honor OF q national hero.
The United States George
Washington Bicentennial Com
mission is now busily engaged
CON piling detailed records of the
Celebration. While these cannot
be available for several months,
the highlights Of the Celebration
are here set down.
Active work of the Commis
sion, with President Hoover as
Chairman and Congressman Sol
Bloom as Associate Director, be.
gan some two and q halt years
ago. Plans we're mapped out
for q nation wide and world wide
celebration and not for . worlds
fair or geographically centraliz-
ed event.
Cooperative Bicentennial com
missions were appointed ia every
state, city and practically every
town Of America. Besides. CON
mittees were appointed among
civic, fraternai and religious
bodies as we'll as in the schools.
More than 10000 separate and
distinct Bicentennial Commis.
sions and committees functioned
actively during the Celebration
period.
A conservative estimate by
the United States George Wash
ington Bicentennial Commission
claims that more than one mil
lion different Bicentenuial Cele
brstion programs took place dur
ing this nine months period.
The United States Commission
he's distributed, without charge,
more than II million pieces Of
literature in assisting local com
mittees. Historical pamphlets,
plays and psgeants, music, edu
cAtional pamphlets. ETC., have
been published and distributed
from the Commissions head
quarters in Washington.
Nation wide educational con-.
tests, in the elementary schools,
high schools and institutions Of
higher learning have been con
Quoted by the Commission. More
than two million American boys
aud girls have participated in
these contests.
The Commission has distribut
ed to the schools Of America
more than one million large size
Autographed copies OF the Gilbet
Stuart Athenaeum portrait of
George Washington.
Every library in America re
ceived g copy of the Commis
sion's special Dag chart showing
ell the flags used in the Revolu
ton. Every Post Office has re-
ceived q large poster Of Wake
field. Washington's birthplace.
More than one million copies
OF the George NJ. Cohsn song,
Father of the Land We Love"
were distributed. This song was
written for the Commission by
Mr.. Cohan as bis personal tri
butte to our First President.
A special Bicentennial quarter
dollar was minted aud put in
general circulation. A special
medal was also minted which the
Commission awards for maritori
Gus service ia connection With
the Celebration.
Our Post Office issued q series
of twelve George Washington
stamps To commemorate the
Celebration.
The D.fnitive Writings OF
George Washington are now be.
ing compiled and published.
This is the most comprehensive
y