Isabella Carter
The year 1987 marked the bicentennial of the United States Constitution, with celebrations including street theatre productions, a film series, and an 87-hour vigil attended by over 37,500 people. The Constitution was signed in Philadelphia on September 17, 1787, and the National Archives has a long tradition of celebrating Constitution Day, which falls on September 17 annually. The bicentennial celebrations in 1987 were coordinated by a dedicated commission, with festivities spanning three years. The US Constitution Bicentennial follows the United States Bicentennial celebrated in 1976, which saw a wave of patriotism across the nation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year | 1987 |
| Date of Signing of the Constitution | September 17, 1787 |
| Date Commission was Established | September 29, 1983 |
| Number of Coins Authorized | 2 |
| Types of Coins Authorized | Silver Dollar, $5.00 Gold |
| Number of Silver Dollar Coins Minted | 451,629 (Uncirculated), 2,747,116 (Proof) |
| Number of $5.00 Gold Coins Minted | 214,225 (Uncirculated), 651,659 (Proof) |
| Artist for Silver Dollar Coin Design | Patricia Lewis Verani |
| Artist for $5.00 Gold Coin Design | Marcel Jovine |
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What You'll Learn
- The US Constitution Bicentennial was celebrated in 1987
- The Commission on the Bicentennial of the US Constitution was established in 1983
- The US Bicentennial celebrations in 1976 included painting fire hydrants in Indiana
- NASA held a rollout ceremony for the first Space Shuttle during the Bicentennial
- The US Constitution Bicentennial coins were struck at the Philadelphia and San Francisco Mints
The US Constitution Bicentennial was celebrated in 1987
The Constitution was initially celebrated as a statement of the freedoms and inclusiveness of the United States towards its citizens. However, it excluded the rights of those who were enslaved, and abolitionists criticised the document for benefiting slave states by counting enslaved people as 3/5ths of a citizen, leading to greater representation in Congress. Despite its flaws, the Constitution was a statement of the rights of free men.
To commemorate the Bicentennial, Congress authorized the minting of two special coins: a Silver Dollar coin and a $5.00 Gold coin. The Silver Dollar coin, designed by Patricia Lewis Verani, depicted a large quill pen, parchment, and the words "WE THE PEOPLE". The $5.00 Gold coin, designed by Marcel Jovine, featured a stylized American Eagle holding a quill pen, with the word "LIBERTY" and the date "1987".
The Bicentennial celebration also included local observances, such as painting mailboxes and fire hydrants in red, white, and blue, as well as educational initiatives like the Schoolhouse Rock! series, which taught about various aspects of American history and government. The celebration was a source of patriotism and pride for many Americans, prompting reflections on the nation's history and the achievements of the Founding Fathers.
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The Commission on the Bicentennial of the US Constitution was established in 1983
The United States Constitution is a document drafted in Philadelphia in 1787. The year 1987 marked the 200th anniversary of the Constitution. The Commission on the Bicentennial of the US Constitution was established in 1983 to plan and develop activities to commemorate the signing of the Constitution, the formation of the three branches of government, and the Bill of Rights.
The Commission was created as an independent advisory commission by an Act of Congress (Public Law 98-101) on September 29, 1983. The Act was passed to promote and coordinate the commemoration of the 200-year anniversary of the Constitution. The Commission was tasked with planning and developing appropriate activities to commemorate the bicentennial of the signing of the Constitution, which took place on September 17, 1787. The Commission also aimed to promote the formation of the three branches of government and the Bill of Rights.
The Commission on the Bicentennial of the US Constitution consisted of 23 members, appointed by President Ronald Reagan in 1985. Chief Justice Warren E. Burger served as the Chairman of the Commission. The members of the Commission included historians, professors, judges, and businesspeople. One notable member was Bernard H. Siegan, a professor of law and director of law and economics studies at the University of San Diego School of Law.
The Commission played a crucial role in coordinating the celebration of the Bicentennial. They encouraged and supported state and local organizations in planning events, bringing them under a unified celebration. The Commission also coordinated national activities, including essay contests, funding grants for educational projects, and supporting television series featuring historic events. Additionally, they oversaw the creation of a Bicentennial logo, commemorative postage stamps, and medals.
The Bicentennial commemoration was planned as a three-year event, with each year assigned a specific theme. 1987 was dedicated to "Framing the Constitution", followed by "Ratifying the Constitution: The People Consent" in 1988, and "Establishing a Government" in 1989. The Commission's work, along with local and state efforts, ensured a comprehensive and meaningful celebration of the Bicentennial of the US Constitution.
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The US Bicentennial celebrations in 1976 included painting fire hydrants in Indiana
The US Bicentennial celebrations, which took place in 1976, included a variety of festivities and events commemorating the 200th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence by the Founding Fathers. This significant milestone in American history was marked by celebrations across the nation, including the painting of fire hydrants in Indiana.
The city of South Bend, Indiana, embarked on a unique and creative project to commemorate the Bicentennial. They painted their fire hydrants in vibrant colours and patriotic designs, transforming these mundane street fixtures into works of art. The fire hydrants were adorned with the images of notable historical figures such as Betsy Ross, Thomas Paine, Crispus Attucks, and Benjamin Franklin. This act of "painting a plug for America" added a touch of whimsy and colour to the cityscape.
The idea of painting fire hydrants as a form of celebration originated in Indiana and quickly spread to other towns and cities. It reflected the wave of patriotism and nostalgia that swept the nation during the Bicentennial. The celebrations came at a time when the nation was healing from the civil rights movement, the Vietnam War, and the Watergate constitutional crisis of 1974.
The Bicentennial celebrations included a range of other activities and events. There were elaborate fireworks displays in major US cities, with President Ford presiding over the display in Washington, D.C. Operation Sail, a large international fleet parade of tall-masted sailing ships, gathered in New York City and Boston. Reenactments, such as the Crossing of the Delaware and the Boston Tea Party, brought history to life, while parades and commercialised commemorations added to the festive atmosphere.
The celebrations also extended beyond traditional festivities. Hollywood filmmaker John Huston directed a short movie, "Independence" (1976), for the US National Park Service. Schoolhouse Rock! created a sub-series called "History Rock," which educated children about various aspects of American history and government. These educational and cultural initiatives added a deeper layer of meaning to the Bicentennial celebrations.
The US Bicentennial celebrations in 1976 were a time of reflection, patriotism, and joy for Americans. The painting of fire hydrants in Indiana is just one example of how communities across the nation found unique and creative ways to commemorate this important anniversary and pay tribute to their country's history.
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NASA held a rollout ceremony for the first Space Shuttle during the Bicentennial
The United States Bicentennial was celebrated in 1976. The Bicentennial marked the 200th anniversary of the signing of the US Constitution, which took place on September 17, 1787.
In the months leading up to the Bicentennial, educational initiatives were undertaken to teach people about American history and government. These included a sub-series of educational cartoon shorts called "History Rock" by Schoolhouse Rock!, which aired on ABC on Saturday mornings. CBS also aired a new animated Archie series called "The U.S. of Archie", with 16 episodes that were rerun until September 1976.
Local communities also participated in the Bicentennial celebrations. For instance, the city of South Bend, Indiana, painted its fire hydrants in vibrant colours and patriotic designs. Bell Telephone Company commissioned Stanley Meltzoff to create a cover for its 1976 directory to commemorate the Bicentennial and the centennial of the invention of the telephone.
NASA also participated in the Bicentennial celebrations. They held a rollout ceremony for the first Space Shuttle, which they had planned to name "Constitution" but was instead named "Enterprise" in honour of its fictional namesake on the television series Star Trek. This ceremony took place on the anniversary of the signing of the Constitution.
The Bicentennial celebrations spanned different states and cities, with various events and initiatives commemorating the signing of the US Constitution 200 years earlier.
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The US Constitution Bicentennial coins were struck at the Philadelphia and San Francisco Mints
The year 1987 marked the 200th anniversary of the United States Constitution. The US Constitution Bicentennial coins were struck at the Philadelphia and San Francisco Mints. The Philadelphia Mint is the first national mint in the United States, established by the Coinage Act passed by Congress on April 2, 1792. The Mint maintains production facilities in Philadelphia, San Francisco, Denver, and West Point, and a bullion depository in Fort Knox.
The San Francisco Mint, also known as the San Francisco Assay Office, was opened in 1854 to convert gold from miners into coins during the California Gold Rush. The Philadelphia and San Francisco Mints played a significant role in producing the US Constitution Bicentennial coins.
The US Constitution Bicentennial coins were designed by Patricia Lewis Verani and Marcel Jovine. The obverse of the silver dollar coin designed by Verani features a large quill pen and a sheet of parchment paper with the words "WE THE PEOPLE." The reverse showcases an arrangement of people representing diverse walks of life. Jovine's design for the half eagle coin features a stylized eagle clutching a quill pen, with an upright quill pen on the reverse, accompanied by the words "WE THE PEOPLE."
The Philadelphia Mint produced 451,629 uncirculated silver dollars, while San Francisco minted 2,747,116 proofs. The Bicentennial coins were first struck in San Francisco on April 23, 1975, and were intended for collectors. The San Francisco Assay Office struck 45 million silver coins, producing 11 million sets in uncirculated condition and 4 million in proof. The Bicentennial coins included in the 1975 proof sets are known as Type I, while those in the 1976 proof sets are Type II.
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Frequently asked questions
The bicentennial of the US Constitution was in 1987.
In 1983, the Commission on the Bicentennial of the United States Constitution was established as an independent advisory commission to plan and develop activities to commemorate the occasion. Official meetings, essay contests, and festivities were held in the lead-up to the bicentennial year.
The bicentennial celebrations included street theater productions, a film series called "The Constitution on Film", and an 87-hour vigil in the Rotunda, which was attended by over 37,500 people. On the official day of the bicentennial, September 17, various dignitaries attended ceremonies and festivities at the National Archives.
