A 1700s-inspired Bicentennial ensemble made by Joanna Hirth for one of the many dances happening during Minneapolis’s Bicentennial celebrations.
By: Linnea Dahlquist
Many Americans were thinking about the nation’s future in 1966. The country was ten years away from its bicentennial, and the question of how such a milestone should be commemorated was already taking shape. On July 4, 1966, Congress created the American Revolution Bicentennial Commission (ARBC) with the initial goal of planning a single national celebration, likely to be held in either Philadelphia or Boston.
By 1973, however, the commission was dissolved and replaced by the American Revolution Bicentennial Administration (ARBA), which shifted the focus toward supporting decentralized, state-level, local, and private commemorations rather than one large national event.
With ARBA’s support, Governor Wendell R. Anderson established Minnesota’s American Revolution Bicentennial Commission in June 1972. The state commission was tasked with overseeing projects related to three designated themes: Heritage, Festivals, and Horizons. In Minneapolis, several initiatives were approved: an exhibit on the Black experience in Minnesota; a “Heritage Village” in Loring Park; Hennepin County Library skits based on American folklore; new hiking trails sponsored by Hennepin County; and a Minnesota Historical Society touring show on Native American history. Community groups also organized dances, parades, picnics, and a major fireworks display. Minneapolis was even designated a Bicentennial Community, and the University of Minnesota recognized as a Bicentennial College.
Not everyone agreed with the direction of the Bicentennial. Per a final report summarizing the American Revolution Bicentennial Commission’s activities, Acting Director Becky L. Hoover noted “The Bicentennial was a challenge. It demanded response-idealistic response.” She noted the varying responses to the event; while some groups questioned celebrating a nation that continued to oppress members of its population; others criticized the commemoration as overly commercialized. Still others argued that it placed too much (or not enough) emphasis on history. Debates over how to mark major national anniversaries continue, as evident in the buildup to Semiquincentennial in 2026.
Author Bio: Linnea Dahlquist holds two B. A’s, one in Cultural Anthropology with a minor in art history from Minnesota State University Moorhead and the other focusing on History, Archaeology, and Cultural Studies and Comparative Literature from the University of Minnesota. In addition, they received a certificate in Museum Studies from the University of Washington. They often go down rabbit holes on a variety of topics but are especially drawn to anything relating to visual arts, crafts, folklore and mythology, music, identity expression, performing arts, and food. In their spare time they enjoy crafting and hanging out with their cat.
Sources:
Fordlibrarymuseum.gov. “American Bicentennial Celebration | Gerald R. Ford,” 2025. https://www.fordlibrarymuseum.gov/digital-research-room/topic-guides/american-bicentennial-celebration#event-number-1498.
“EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 28 Providing for the Establishment of Minnesota’s American Revolution Bicentennial Commission.” Mn.gov, n.d. https://www.lrl.mn.gov/archive/execorders/72-28.pdf.
Mn.gov. “Final Report / Minnesota American Revolution Bicentennial Commission. Minnesota Edocs: State Government Publications – Minnesota Legislative Reference Library,” 2025. https://www.lrl.mn.gov/edocs/edocs?oclcnumber=03670273.
“Festivities Planned for Weekend of 4th.” The Minneapolis Star. July 1, 1976. https://startribune.newspapers.com/image/191226960/?match=1&terms=bicentennial.
This project was made possible in part by the people of Minnesota through a grant funded by an appropriation to the Minnesota Historical Society from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. Any views, findings, opinions, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of the State of Minnesota, the Minnesota Historical Society, or the Minnesota Historic Resources Advisory Committee.