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United States Information Agency - Report on Bicentennial Activities
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1563334
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United States Information Agency - Report on Bicentennial Activities
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John O. Marsh Files (Ford Administration)
John Marsh's Bicentennial Subject Files
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U.S. Information Agency. (08/01/1953 - 04/01/1978)
American Revolution Bicentennial, 1776-1976
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1976-04-01
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1976
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1976-04-01
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1976
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The original documents are located in Box 71, folder "United States Information Agency -
Report on Bicentennial Activities" of the John Marsh Files at the Gerald R. Ford
Presidential Library.
Copyright Notice
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of
photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Gerald R. Ford donated to the United
States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.
Works prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public
domain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to
remain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid
copyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Digitized from Box 71 of the John Marsh Files at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
{ca 4/7/76]
AGENCY * UNITED UNITED
USIA AND THE BICENTENNIAL CELEBRATION
USIA AND THE BICENTENNIAL CELEBRATION
For three years, both the occasion and the spirit of the Bicentennial
celebration have been a focal point for USIA's planning and program
production. Programs dealing with the history, culture, present-day
society, democratic ideals and international objectives - ideas and
concepts with which we deal regularly - have been placed in the context
of a now two-hundred year old evolving and involved society whose ideals
still reverberate around the world.
All of our programs, of course, are presented overseas; but the
major exhibits, photographic displays, videotapes, films, radio broad-
casts and pamphlets are produced in Washington. These are the
elements - along with American speakers - which are the centerpieces
of programming by our overseas posts.
For example, we are distributing 1700 copies of an exciting display
called "Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness" which will form the
core of a variety of programs in the field. The display deals thematically
with the underlying philosophy of our country, the concepts which go far
in explaining our nation.
We have been the managers overseas of the widely-acclaimed
exhibit "The World of Franklin and Jefferson", designed by Charles and
Ray Eames.
Our Motion Picture Service will employ satellites to televise live
some of the activities which will be held across the country on July 4
and 5.
The Voice of America is producing special documentaries which
portray the history and character of each of the states.
Our Press Service has published major Bicentennial issues of
our most prestigious magazines - Horizons, Dialogue and America
Illustrated - issues which are comprehensive and eye-catching.
But each of these, and many others which are only illustrations
selected from a complete list of USIA's activities, deserve to be and
are more fully described in the sections that follow.
-1-
INFORMATION CENTERS SERVICE (ICS)
Much of the regular ICS output--illustratively, bibliographies
and the selection of books for our libraries-- -has been focusing
attention on Bicentennial themes. However, ICS has undertaken
some special and major projects to commemorate the celebration,
including the illustrations which follow:
"Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness":
The Formation of the United States
This 1200 square-foot paper display package spans the
colonial and early federal periods from 1607-1826 and
portrays the fundamental concepts which have motivated
this country for the past 200 years.
We will send 1700 copies to our posts, cultural and
civic organizations, universities and colleges through-
out the world; and it will form the visual core of an
educational package useful for American studies
programs overseas.
Reflections: Images of America
This major photography exhibit is a visual essay on
American culture and national character, depicting
the diversities and unity of our society, the continuity
and the change.
Although it was developed for showing in Eastern
Europe and the Soviet Union, it has now been offered
to other areas.
Overseas American Studies Conference
The Agency is conducting a major effort on behalf of
the Bicentennial to foster academic and research
activities abroad on the United States, in cooperation
with the Department of State's Bureau of Educational
and Cultural Affairs and American foreign experts
in the American studies field.
This endeavor centers on a series of regional
seminars scheduled for Salzburg, Tehran, Tokyo,
-2-
Lagos and San Antonio (in the U.S.). These will
lead to a major international conference in
Washington under the auspices of the Smithsonian
Institution, the National Endowment for the
Humanities, The American Council of Learned
Societies and State/CU, and culminate in follow-
up activities supported by USIA posts around the
world.
Blacks in American Society
The visual centerpiece of this multi-media project,
which explores the historical and contemporary
achievements by Black Americans, is a display,
"The Black Presence in the Era of the American
Revolution". It was adapted for use in Africa,
Latin America and Europe from a display first
shown at the National Portrait Gallery and will
be used with supporting speakers and materials.
Performing Arts in America: A Retrospective
This multi-media program is a comprehensive
review of American theater, opera, musical
comedy, dance and music in America, from
about 1910 to the present. It includes 40
portrait illustrations of jazz immortals; an
eight unit exhibit showing actors as chroniclers
of their times (based on an article by Harold
Clurman); a one-hour videotape featuring
Walter Terry, the dance critic.
America in Retrospect and Prospect
Again, a multi-media program, one designed to
feature prestigious American speakers on themes
of both historical perspective and overall trends
in American society.
The speakers, buttressed by pamphlets, video-
tapes, books and other supporting material,
include:
-3-
James Hutson, Library of Congress
Historian Oscar Handlin, Harvard
Ralph Ketcham, Syracuse University
James Michener, Author
Michael Kammen, Cornell
The videotapes will feature such leading authorities
as Bernard Bailyn, Seymour Lipset and Martin
Diamond, with Robin Winks of Yale as series
coordinator.
American Literature
This is a series of nine projects on American
literature covering the major themes of
American writing, chiefly novels, essays and
poetry, since 1800.
All of the programs will include films, videotapes,
slides and books.
The World of Franklin and Jefferson
This major exhibition was created by the noted
design team of Charles and Ray Eames for the
American Bicentennial Administration. USIA
has managed the exhibition overseas. A major
statement about the origins and emergence of
the new nation, The World of Franklin and
Jefferson spans the 120 years of the lives of
the two founders, covers the establishment of
the Republic and the beginning westward movement.
The exhibition has had highly successful showings
in Paris, Warsaw and London and is returning
to the U.S. for showings under ARBA auspices.
It is tentatively scheduled for Mexico City in
1977.
-4-
MOTION PICTURE AND TELEVISION SERVICE (IMV)
The Motion Picture Service has been producing Film and
TV specials, cooperative programs, Bicentennial student
films and other categories of visual material for placement on
host country television, special film festivals and materials to
reinforce seminars, speakers and other programs. Some
examples:
Salute by Satellite
This will be a mixture of television material
prepared in advance and live satellite feeds
from the United States to a number of countries
overseas, enabling foreign viewers to witness
the major elements of our Bicentennial celebra-
tion as they occur on July 4 and 5.
Century III
A look at America's and the world's future
concerns in a series of half-hour programs,
produced by IMV. The series will cover, for
example, Communications in the U.S., The
Mind and the Brain, Life on Earth and Cities.
Reflections
These programs are one hour in-depth portraits
of outstanding living Americans (e.g. g. Margaret
Mead, Samuel Eliot Morison) discussing their
life work.
Open-end Documentaries
Eight-to-ten minute films produced for television
placement on subjects of current interest within
the United States. They are offered to representa-
tives of foreign television stations resident in the
U.S., who introduce the films on camera.
-5-
Bicentennial Student Films
USIA awarded special grants to students to produce
films on a variety of topics that would commemorate
the Bicentennial year. Here's a sample of the titles:
Scott Joplin, King of Ragtime; 200; Chicago Literary
Renaissance; An American Tune; Tarpon Springs and
They Came to Here From Over There.
Regional and One-country Films
Many of IMV's productions are designed for one area
or one country. Illustratively:
Black Presence in The Era of the American
Revolution - A series of films which will
support the many "Afro-American History"
weeks conducted by our posts throughout
Africa, as the centerpiece of their
Bicentennial programming.
Two Century Arab-American Dialogue
Series - Five films which are part of
the overall project of the same name,
produced for Arab countries in which
we operate. The project is described
in greater detail in the section dealing
with programs in the field.
Brazil '76 - Four films for television
placement in Brazil, produced at the
specific request of the post.
-6-
VOICE OF AMERICA
Many of VOA's routine broadcasts are devoted to Bicentennial
coverage - special features, spot reports on topical developments,
speeches, special events, conferences.
But this has been supplemented by new features on the Bicen- -
tennial theme, some of which are:
Citizens by Choice - 15-minute documentaries
examining the history of immigrant groups in
America.
States of the Union - 15-minute documentaries
sketching the history and character of each of
the American states.
Two Hundred Years Ago - Six dramatic-documentaries
based on key events in the American Revolution.
Bicentennial Diary - Daily 2-minute "on this day"
treatments of events from June 1, 1774 to
July 4, 1776.
VOA American Issues Forum - 30-minute
interview/discussions with experts and
authorities on weekly themes outlined in
Forum project sponsored by ARBA and
National Endowment for the Humanities.
American Perspectives - 5-7 minute expositions
of prominent Americans' reflections on past,
present and future, as expressed in V OA
interviews.
Bicentennial Profile - Short, narrative
expositions of historical figures' lives
and achievements.
Bicentennial Postcard - Short, narrative
descriptions of historic sites.
- -7- -
VOA Forum series:
Conflict in America - - A History of Domestic
Confrontations
Cavalcade of American Music--1776-1976
Views from Abroad - - Perspectives on
Contemporary American Society
History of American Technology
-8-
PRESS AND PUBLICATIONS SERVICE (IPS)
By the very nature of a press service, IPS has produced,
as part of its ongoing operation, a variety of material on
Bicentennial themes for the wireless file and ad hoc responses
to field requests. But it has also been engaged in Bicentennial
productions that deserve special attention.
Press Material
A basic packet entitled "America's Bicentennial"
was sent to posts in August of 1975. IPS is now
producing monthly Bicentennial packets which
are keyed to themes of the American Issues
Forum.
Some of the subjects:
A Nation of Nations
Land of Plenty
Certain Inalienable Rights
Business in America
America in The World
Pamphlets
Pamphlets are important for use in multi-media
programs (produced in the field and in Washington)
and for distribution to the appropriate foreign
institutions. IPS is issuing four separate series
of Pamphlets under the general heading "USA -
200 Years Later":
Facts About America - Covering These United
States, Farming Housing, The Economy at Work,
Occupations and other basic aspects of the
American experience.
America and the Arts
This cultural series includes such representative
titles as Jazz, Where It Came From; Motion
-9-
Pictures, USA; Theater in America and
Contemporary American Architecture.
Paperback Library Series
Three important books available for presentation
as a boxed set to individuals and institutions - An
Outline of American History, An Outline of
American Geography and an Outline of American
Government.
American Almanac Series
A series which includes America in Pictures,
Lincoln - Man of the People, Gallery of
American and Agriculture USA.
Magazines (Bicentennial Issues)
The Horizons USA Bicentennial issue entitled
"America Today and Tomorrow" is now being
distributed worldwide.
The Dialogue Bicentennial issue, "Idea of
America 1776-1976, 11 was distributed in
March.
America Illustrated's January issue features
the Bicentennial and includes a "Bicentennial
Calendar", an English version of which has
been offered to USIS posts worldwide.
Festival Bicentennial 1976
IPS is reprinting this U.S. Travel Service
publication for tourism promotion by USIS
posts. There are English, Spanish and
French-language versions.
-10-
USIA PROGRAMMING OVERSEAS
Everything that we have described so far comes to
bear on the programming conducted by our posts
throughout the world. Many of the Washington
productions are the principle elements in field
programming while others are supporting elements
of both the regional and one-country activities which
take place in the various geographic areas.
The sections that follow depict some, but not all,
of the program activities which have been scheduled
by our posts throughout the world.
-11-
EUROPEAN PROGRAMS
Many of our European posts will use major Washington
productions as the focal point for both multi-country and one-
country projects. The World of Franklin and Jefferson, for
example, has been successfully shown in three European
capitals; America in Retrospect and Prospect will be program-
med in as many as 15 European countries; and 20 posts will
use the photographic exhibit Reflections: Images of America.
Greece - Our post has already completed the
presentation of U.S. books and periodicals
on Bicentennial themes to three Greek
Universities and is planning a major program
in conjunction with the Agency's Reflections
exhibit which will also stress Greek and Greek-
American contributions to American scholar-
ship, arts and statecraft.
Yugoslavia - USIS will produce a multi-media
program (film, videotape, exhibits and
speeches) highlighting the historical contribu-
tions of Yugoslav-Americans to U.S. society.
Germany - "200 Years of German-American
Relations" - Top level speakers will
participate in conference on the past, present,
and future of political, economic and cultural
relations. The Bonn conference is scheduled
February 18-20.
Soviet Union - In January of 1976, our post
began a series of lectures by noted American
historians, a series that will continue through
the latter part of the Bicentennial year. The
subject; "Significance of the American Revolution. "
-12-
EAST ASIAN PROGRAMS
Our East Asian office will be circulating 24 feature films,
covering various periods of American history, in Thailand,
Burma, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and the Philippines.
These films have all been acquired by the Agency.
Here are just a few examples of other kinds of programming
to be undertaken in East Asia.
Japan - USIS Tokyo is producing a major
thematic program focusing on the dynamics
of American society and consisting of a
series of speakers including Richard Scammon,
Director of the Election Research Center;
James Farmer, former Director of CORE;
David Brower, President of Friends of
the Earth. There will also be an electronic
dialogue with John Gardner, Common Cause.
Australia - USIS has undertaken both planning
and media support for the Australian-
American Association's Bicentennial
celebration in March. Specific support
includes a major Bicentennial exhibit, a
book display and an exhibit of the U.S.
Performing Arts for the Sydney Opera
House.
Indonesia - The post organized an American
studies seminar in January, 1976, featuring
American specialist Linda Brown with key
scholars at the University of Indonesia as
part of a project to establish an American
studies program.
Philippines - The post provided facilitative
support for an evening of Aaron Copland
music with the Manila Symphony in November
of 1975 to kick-off Bicentennial programming.
It has given additional support for the March
-13- -
Festival of the Arts featuring the Contemporary
Chamber Ensemble travelling to Manila under
CU sponsorship. USIS is co-sponsoring with the
Manila Symphony Orchestra performances of
Bernstein's Mass in April.
-14-
NEAR EAST PROGRAMS
The major regional Bicentennial projects is aimed at the
Arab World and is entitled, "The Two-Century Dialogue. 11 The
idea behind the project is to develop a Bicentennial program
with specific relevance to Arab audiences. The project
emphasizes linkages between the two cultures, highlighting
Arab-American relations--political, economic, social and
cultural--since the establishment of American independence.
Other illustrative programs follow:
Morocco - As part of its Bicentennial program,
USIS Rabat and the American Embassy plan to
open a museum of Moroccan-American friend-
ship in the 400 years old legation building in
Tangiers.
Iran - USIS Iran plans its Bicentennial program-
ming around a prestigious lecture series
featuring American historians and social scientists,
and special exhibits and film-and-theater events
at the Iran-American Societies in Tehran and
the provinces. The post also is actively engaged
in promoting American Studies programs. USIS
is working closely with the Government of Iran's
Bicentennial Committee, chaired by the Empress
Farah. As one of its efforts during 1976, the
Bicentennial Committee will commit funds to
establish chairs of American Studies at National
and Pahlevi Universities.
Kuwait - USIS Kuwait is planning an "America
Week" in early April 1976 in cooperation with
the Kuwait Hilton Hotel. The program will
include the Agency's Bicentennial exhibit, a
U.S. Department of Agricultural food exhibit,
colonial period costumes, a wide array of
ICS Bicentennial material and an American
film festival.
-15-
India - USIS New Delhi plans a series of
Bicentennial lectures and seminars to be
held at all four branch posts in 1976. The
program is divided into two broad themes,
Heritage '76 and Horizons '76. The series
was launched late last year with a prestigious
keynote address by the noted American
historian, John Hope Franklin. Another
USIS India Bicentennial program involves
the use of American feature films. The
idea is to present a panorama of American
history as reflected in feature films based
on novels and plays by American authors.
-16-
AFRICAN PROGRAMS
All USIA posts in Africa will receive the exhibit "Black
Presence in the Era of the American Revolution", which will
be the centerpiece for their Bicentennial programming. Many
of the posts will combine this with the exhibit "Life, Liberty
and the Pursuit of Happiness" along with appropriate videotapes,
magazines and other supporting materials.
Illustrations of other programs planned for Africa
include:
Nigeria African Regional American Studies
Conference- This is one of five conferences
being held throughout the world. It is being
planned by an African Regional Planning
Committee of African and American scholars,
with assistance and funding by USIA, CU and
the Carnegie Foundation. African scholars
of American studies will attend from many
parts of Africa and will return to their
countries to conduct followup workshops and
conference.
Ethiopia - USIS will produce a multi-media
program "Afro-America History" at the
Africa Hall of the Organization of African
Unity building in Addis Ababa. The material
will include lectures, a jazz group, panel
discussions and an exhibit.
Ghana - A major USIS effort in Ghana will
be a Trade Fair Exhibit "200 Years of
Farming in USA", with emphasis on U.S.
farm life, food production and equipment.
Ivory Coast A three day seminar for
college and graduate level students will
be devoted to American studies, with
emphasis on Black-American history.
-17-
Tanzania - A lecture series, "History of the
American Economic system", will use an
American visiting specialist, films, videotapes
and appropriate publications.
-18-
LATIN AMERICAN PROGRAMS
The major regional effort for Latin America was the
American Studies Conference held in San Antonio and that
brought together American studies scholars from the area.
To date, our posts have reported over 420 individual
projects dealing with the Bicentennial.
Some examples follow:
Argentina - a former International Visitors
Program grantee has been scheduled to give
a series of lectures which will include "The
American Revolution and its Influence in
Argentina" and "A Personal View of the U.S. "
Brazil - the post will produce a major documentary
on Dom Pedro II's visit to the U.S. in 1876.
Chile - USIS has undertaken a joint program
("The Western World in the Eighteenth Century -
on the occasion of the Bicentennial") in
cooperation with the embassies of France,
Great Britain, the Federal Republic of Germany
and the Office of Cultural Advisor to the Chilean
Government. Special months have been assigned
to each participating embassy for a program
that will run throughout the Bicentennial year.
El Salvador - The USIS Speakers Bureau, which
is made up of Chamber of Commerce members
(80 percent Salvadoran) is organizing multi-media
lectures on Bicentennial themes.
Mexico - Our post has undertaken a cooperative
effort, approved by the Mexican Secretariat of
Education, that will result in the publication and
distribution of 500, 000 copies of a school text on
Spanish contributions to the U.S. The book is
intended for first-year secondary students in
the Mexican school system.
-19-
Venezuela - A Bicentennial communications seminar,
focusing on freedom of the press provisions of the
U.S. and Venezuelan Constitutions is scheduled in
April. Pierre Salinger, Eric Severeid, Helen
Thomas, Eli Abel and James Goodsell are among
those expected to participate.
-20-
The programs we have described are representative
of a comprehensive effort by our program elements in
Washington and our overseas posts to use the Bicentennial
to underscore concepts basic to American society and our
foreign policy objectives. Although these have always
been the programmatic goals of USIA, the celebration of
our 200th year has given them--and hopefully our audiences - -
special meaning and clarity.
AMERICANA REVOLUTION 1776-1976