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    • United States Information Agency - Report on Bicentennial Activities

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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 Gerald R. Ford donated to the United States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.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

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    "ocrText": "The original documents are located in Box 71, folder \"United States Information Agency -\nReport on Bicentennial Activities\" of the John Marsh Files at the Gerald R. Ford\nPresidential Library.\nCopyright Notice\nThe copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of\nphotocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Gerald R. Ford donated to the United\nStates of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.\nWorks prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public\ndomain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to\nremain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid\ncopyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.\nDigitized from Box 71 of the John Marsh Files at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library\n{ca 4/7/76]\nAGENCY * UNITED UNITED\nUSIA AND THE BICENTENNIAL CELEBRATION\nUSIA AND THE BICENTENNIAL CELEBRATION\nFor three years, both the occasion and the spirit of the Bicentennial\ncelebration have been a focal point for USIA's planning and program\nproduction. Programs dealing with the history, culture, present-day\nsociety, democratic ideals and international objectives - ideas and\nconcepts with which we deal regularly - have been placed in the context\nof a now two-hundred year old evolving and involved society whose ideals\nstill reverberate around the world.\nAll of our programs, of course, are presented overseas; but the\nmajor exhibits, photographic displays, videotapes, films, radio broad-\ncasts and pamphlets are produced in Washington. These are the\nelements - along with American speakers - which are the centerpieces\nof programming by our overseas posts.\nFor example, we are distributing 1700 copies of an exciting display\ncalled \"Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness\" which will form the\ncore of a variety of programs in the field. The display deals thematically\nwith the underlying philosophy of our country, the concepts which go far\nin explaining our nation.\nWe have been the managers overseas of the widely-acclaimed\nexhibit \"The World of Franklin and Jefferson\", designed by Charles and\nRay Eames.\nOur Motion Picture Service will employ satellites to televise live\nsome of the activities which will be held across the country on July 4\nand 5.\nThe Voice of America is producing special documentaries which\nportray the history and character of each of the states.\nOur Press Service has published major Bicentennial issues of\nour most prestigious magazines - Horizons, Dialogue and America\nIllustrated - issues which are comprehensive and eye-catching.\nBut each of these, and many others which are only illustrations\nselected from a complete list of USIA's activities, deserve to be and\nare more fully described in the sections that follow.\n-1-\nINFORMATION CENTERS SERVICE (ICS)\nMuch of the regular ICS output--illustratively, bibliographies\nand the selection of books for our libraries-- -has been focusing\nattention on Bicentennial themes. However, ICS has undertaken\nsome special and major projects to commemorate the celebration,\nincluding the illustrations which follow:\n\"Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness\":\nThe Formation of the United States\nThis 1200 square-foot paper display package spans the\ncolonial and early federal periods from 1607-1826 and\nportrays the fundamental concepts which have motivated\nthis country for the past 200 years.\nWe will send 1700 copies to our posts, cultural and\ncivic organizations, universities and colleges through-\nout the world; and it will form the visual core of an\neducational package useful for American studies\nprograms overseas.\nReflections: Images of America\nThis major photography exhibit is a visual essay on\nAmerican culture and national character, depicting\nthe diversities and unity of our society, the continuity\nand the change.\nAlthough it was developed for showing in Eastern\nEurope and the Soviet Union, it has now been offered\nto other areas.\nOverseas American Studies Conference\nThe Agency is conducting a major effort on behalf of\nthe Bicentennial to foster academic and research\nactivities abroad on the United States, in cooperation\nwith the Department of State's Bureau of Educational\nand Cultural Affairs and American foreign experts\nin the American studies field.\nThis endeavor centers on a series of regional\nseminars scheduled for Salzburg, Tehran, Tokyo,\n-2-\nLagos and San Antonio (in the U.S.). These will\nlead to a major international conference in\nWashington under the auspices of the Smithsonian\nInstitution, the National Endowment for the\nHumanities, The American Council of Learned\nSocieties and State/CU, and culminate in follow-\nup activities supported by USIA posts around the\nworld.\nBlacks in American Society\nThe visual centerpiece of this multi-media project,\nwhich explores the historical and contemporary\nachievements by Black Americans, is a display,\n\"The Black Presence in the Era of the American\nRevolution\". It was adapted for use in Africa,\nLatin America and Europe from a display first\nshown at the National Portrait Gallery and will\nbe used with supporting speakers and materials.\nPerforming Arts in America: A Retrospective\nThis multi-media program is a comprehensive\nreview of American theater, opera, musical\ncomedy, dance and music in America, from\nabout 1910 to the present. It includes 40\nportrait illustrations of jazz immortals; an\neight unit exhibit showing actors as chroniclers\nof their times (based on an article by Harold\nClurman); a one-hour videotape featuring\nWalter Terry, the dance critic.\nAmerica in Retrospect and Prospect\nAgain, a multi-media program, one designed to\nfeature prestigious American speakers on themes\nof both historical perspective and overall trends\nin American society.\nThe speakers, buttressed by pamphlets, video-\ntapes, books and other supporting material,\ninclude:\n-3-\nJames Hutson, Library of Congress\nHistorian Oscar Handlin, Harvard\nRalph Ketcham, Syracuse University\nJames Michener, Author\nMichael Kammen, Cornell\nThe videotapes will feature such leading authorities\nas Bernard Bailyn, Seymour Lipset and Martin\nDiamond, with Robin Winks of Yale as series\ncoordinator.\nAmerican Literature\nThis is a series of nine projects on American\nliterature covering the major themes of\nAmerican writing, chiefly novels, essays and\npoetry, since 1800.\nAll of the programs will include films, videotapes,\nslides and books.\nThe World of Franklin and Jefferson\nThis major exhibition was created by the noted\ndesign team of Charles and Ray Eames for the\nAmerican Bicentennial Administration. USIA\nhas managed the exhibition overseas. A major\nstatement about the origins and emergence of\nthe new nation, The World of Franklin and\nJefferson spans the 120 years of the lives of\nthe two founders, covers the establishment of\nthe Republic and the beginning westward movement.\nThe exhibition has had highly successful showings\nin Paris, Warsaw and London and is returning\nto the U.S. for showings under ARBA auspices.\nIt is tentatively scheduled for Mexico City in\n1977.\n-4-\nMOTION PICTURE AND TELEVISION SERVICE (IMV)\nThe Motion Picture Service has been producing Film and\nTV specials, cooperative programs, Bicentennial student\nfilms and other categories of visual material for placement on\nhost country television, special film festivals and materials to\nreinforce seminars, speakers and other programs. Some\nexamples:\nSalute by Satellite\nThis will be a mixture of television material\nprepared in advance and live satellite feeds\nfrom the United States to a number of countries\noverseas, enabling foreign viewers to witness\nthe major elements of our Bicentennial celebra-\ntion as they occur on July 4 and 5.\nCentury III\nA look at America's and the world's future\nconcerns in a series of half-hour programs,\nproduced by IMV. The series will cover, for\nexample, Communications in the U.S., The\nMind and the Brain, Life on Earth and Cities.\nReflections\nThese programs are one hour in-depth portraits\nof outstanding living Americans (e.g. g. Margaret\nMead, Samuel Eliot Morison) discussing their\nlife work.\nOpen-end Documentaries\nEight-to-ten minute films produced for television\nplacement on subjects of current interest within\nthe United States. They are offered to representa-\ntives of foreign television stations resident in the\nU.S., who introduce the films on camera.\n-5-\nBicentennial Student Films\nUSIA awarded special grants to students to produce\nfilms on a variety of topics that would commemorate\nthe Bicentennial year. Here's a sample of the titles:\nScott Joplin, King of Ragtime; 200; Chicago Literary\nRenaissance; An American Tune; Tarpon Springs and\nThey Came to Here From Over There.\nRegional and One-country Films\nMany of IMV's productions are designed for one area\nor one country. Illustratively:\nBlack Presence in The Era of the American\nRevolution - A series of films which will\nsupport the many \"Afro-American History\"\nweeks conducted by our posts throughout\nAfrica, as the centerpiece of their\nBicentennial programming.\nTwo Century Arab-American Dialogue\nSeries - Five films which are part of\nthe overall project of the same name,\nproduced for Arab countries in which\nwe operate. The project is described\nin greater detail in the section dealing\nwith programs in the field.\nBrazil '76 - Four films for television\nplacement in Brazil, produced at the\nspecific request of the post.\n-6-\nVOICE OF AMERICA\nMany of VOA's routine broadcasts are devoted to Bicentennial\ncoverage - special features, spot reports on topical developments,\nspeeches, special events, conferences.\nBut this has been supplemented by new features on the Bicen- -\ntennial theme, some of which are:\nCitizens by Choice - 15-minute documentaries\nexamining the history of immigrant groups in\nAmerica.\nStates of the Union - 15-minute documentaries\nsketching the history and character of each of\nthe American states.\nTwo Hundred Years Ago - Six dramatic-documentaries\nbased on key events in the American Revolution.\nBicentennial Diary - Daily 2-minute \"on this day\"\ntreatments of events from June 1, 1774 to\nJuly 4, 1776.\nVOA American Issues Forum - 30-minute\ninterview/discussions with experts and\nauthorities on weekly themes outlined in\nForum project sponsored by ARBA and\nNational Endowment for the Humanities.\nAmerican Perspectives - 5-7 minute expositions\nof prominent Americans' reflections on past,\npresent and future, as expressed in V OA\ninterviews.\nBicentennial Profile - Short, narrative\nexpositions of historical figures' lives\nand achievements.\nBicentennial Postcard - Short, narrative\ndescriptions of historic sites.\n- -7- -\nVOA Forum series:\nConflict in America - - A History of Domestic\nConfrontations\nCavalcade of American Music--1776-1976\nViews from Abroad - - Perspectives on\nContemporary American Society\nHistory of American Technology\n-8-\nPRESS AND PUBLICATIONS SERVICE (IPS)\nBy the very nature of a press service, IPS has produced,\nas part of its ongoing operation, a variety of material on\nBicentennial themes for the wireless file and ad hoc responses\nto field requests. But it has also been engaged in Bicentennial\nproductions that deserve special attention.\nPress Material\nA basic packet entitled \"America's Bicentennial\"\nwas sent to posts in August of 1975. IPS is now\nproducing monthly Bicentennial packets which\nare keyed to themes of the American Issues\nForum.\nSome of the subjects:\nA Nation of Nations\nLand of Plenty\nCertain Inalienable Rights\nBusiness in America\nAmerica in The World\nPamphlets\nPamphlets are important for use in multi-media\nprograms (produced in the field and in Washington)\nand for distribution to the appropriate foreign\ninstitutions. IPS is issuing four separate series\nof Pamphlets under the general heading \"USA -\n200 Years Later\":\nFacts About America - Covering These United\nStates, Farming Housing, The Economy at Work,\nOccupations and other basic aspects of the\nAmerican experience.\nAmerica and the Arts\nThis cultural series includes such representative\ntitles as Jazz, Where It Came From; Motion\n-9-\nPictures, USA; Theater in America and\nContemporary American Architecture.\nPaperback Library Series\nThree important books available for presentation\nas a boxed set to individuals and institutions - An\nOutline of American History, An Outline of\nAmerican Geography and an Outline of American\nGovernment.\nAmerican Almanac Series\nA series which includes America in Pictures,\nLincoln - Man of the People, Gallery of\nAmerican and Agriculture USA.\nMagazines (Bicentennial Issues)\nThe Horizons USA Bicentennial issue entitled\n\"America Today and Tomorrow\" is now being\ndistributed worldwide.\nThe Dialogue Bicentennial issue, \"Idea of\nAmerica 1776-1976, 11 was distributed in\nMarch.\nAmerica Illustrated's January issue features\nthe Bicentennial and includes a \"Bicentennial\nCalendar\", an English version of which has\nbeen offered to USIS posts worldwide.\nFestival Bicentennial 1976\nIPS is reprinting this U.S. Travel Service\npublication for tourism promotion by USIS\nposts. There are English, Spanish and\nFrench-language versions.\n-10-\nUSIA PROGRAMMING OVERSEAS\nEverything that we have described so far comes to\nbear on the programming conducted by our posts\nthroughout the world. Many of the Washington\nproductions are the principle elements in field\nprogramming while others are supporting elements\nof both the regional and one-country activities which\ntake place in the various geographic areas.\nThe sections that follow depict some, but not all,\nof the program activities which have been scheduled\nby our posts throughout the world.\n-11-\nEUROPEAN PROGRAMS\nMany of our European posts will use major Washington\nproductions as the focal point for both multi-country and one-\ncountry projects. The World of Franklin and Jefferson, for\nexample, has been successfully shown in three European\ncapitals; America in Retrospect and Prospect will be program-\nmed in as many as 15 European countries; and 20 posts will\nuse the photographic exhibit Reflections: Images of America.\nGreece - Our post has already completed the\npresentation of U.S. books and periodicals\non Bicentennial themes to three Greek\nUniversities and is planning a major program\nin conjunction with the Agency's Reflections\nexhibit which will also stress Greek and Greek-\nAmerican contributions to American scholar-\nship, arts and statecraft.\nYugoslavia - USIS will produce a multi-media\nprogram (film, videotape, exhibits and\nspeeches) highlighting the historical contribu-\ntions of Yugoslav-Americans to U.S. society.\nGermany - \"200 Years of German-American\nRelations\" - Top level speakers will\nparticipate in conference on the past, present,\nand future of political, economic and cultural\nrelations. The Bonn conference is scheduled\nFebruary 18-20.\nSoviet Union - In January of 1976, our post\nbegan a series of lectures by noted American\nhistorians, a series that will continue through\nthe latter part of the Bicentennial year. The\nsubject; \"Significance of the American Revolution. \"\n-12-\nEAST ASIAN PROGRAMS\nOur East Asian office will be circulating 24 feature films,\ncovering various periods of American history, in Thailand,\nBurma, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and the Philippines.\nThese films have all been acquired by the Agency.\nHere are just a few examples of other kinds of programming\nto be undertaken in East Asia.\nJapan - USIS Tokyo is producing a major\nthematic program focusing on the dynamics\nof American society and consisting of a\nseries of speakers including Richard Scammon,\nDirector of the Election Research Center;\nJames Farmer, former Director of CORE;\nDavid Brower, President of Friends of\nthe Earth. There will also be an electronic\ndialogue with John Gardner, Common Cause.\nAustralia - USIS has undertaken both planning\nand media support for the Australian-\nAmerican Association's Bicentennial\ncelebration in March. Specific support\nincludes a major Bicentennial exhibit, a\nbook display and an exhibit of the U.S.\nPerforming Arts for the Sydney Opera\nHouse.\nIndonesia - The post organized an American\nstudies seminar in January, 1976, featuring\nAmerican specialist Linda Brown with key\nscholars at the University of Indonesia as\npart of a project to establish an American\nstudies program.\nPhilippines - The post provided facilitative\nsupport for an evening of Aaron Copland\nmusic with the Manila Symphony in November\nof 1975 to kick-off Bicentennial programming.\nIt has given additional support for the March\n-13- -\nFestival of the Arts featuring the Contemporary\nChamber Ensemble travelling to Manila under\nCU sponsorship. USIS is co-sponsoring with the\nManila Symphony Orchestra performances of\nBernstein's Mass in April.\n-14-\nNEAR EAST PROGRAMS\nThe major regional Bicentennial projects is aimed at the\nArab World and is entitled, \"The Two-Century Dialogue. 11 The\nidea behind the project is to develop a Bicentennial program\nwith specific relevance to Arab audiences. The project\nemphasizes linkages between the two cultures, highlighting\nArab-American relations--political, economic, social and\ncultural--since the establishment of American independence.\nOther illustrative programs follow:\nMorocco - As part of its Bicentennial program,\nUSIS Rabat and the American Embassy plan to\nopen a museum of Moroccan-American friend-\nship in the 400 years old legation building in\nTangiers.\nIran - USIS Iran plans its Bicentennial program-\nming around a prestigious lecture series\nfeaturing American historians and social scientists,\nand special exhibits and film-and-theater events\nat the Iran-American Societies in Tehran and\nthe provinces. The post also is actively engaged\nin promoting American Studies programs. USIS\nis working closely with the Government of Iran's\nBicentennial Committee, chaired by the Empress\nFarah. As one of its efforts during 1976, the\nBicentennial Committee will commit funds to\nestablish chairs of American Studies at National\nand Pahlevi Universities.\nKuwait - USIS Kuwait is planning an \"America\nWeek\" in early April 1976 in cooperation with\nthe Kuwait Hilton Hotel. The program will\ninclude the Agency's Bicentennial exhibit, a\nU.S. Department of Agricultural food exhibit,\ncolonial period costumes, a wide array of\nICS Bicentennial material and an American\nfilm festival.\n-15-\nIndia - USIS New Delhi plans a series of\nBicentennial lectures and seminars to be\nheld at all four branch posts in 1976. The\nprogram is divided into two broad themes,\nHeritage '76 and Horizons '76. The series\nwas launched late last year with a prestigious\nkeynote address by the noted American\nhistorian, John Hope Franklin. Another\nUSIS India Bicentennial program involves\nthe use of American feature films. The\nidea is to present a panorama of American\nhistory as reflected in feature films based\non novels and plays by American authors.\n-16-\nAFRICAN PROGRAMS\nAll USIA posts in Africa will receive the exhibit \"Black\nPresence in the Era of the American Revolution\", which will\nbe the centerpiece for their Bicentennial programming. Many\nof the posts will combine this with the exhibit \"Life, Liberty\nand the Pursuit of Happiness\" along with appropriate videotapes,\nmagazines and other supporting materials.\nIllustrations of other programs planned for Africa\ninclude:\nNigeria African Regional American Studies\nConference- This is one of five conferences\nbeing held throughout the world. It is being\nplanned by an African Regional Planning\nCommittee of African and American scholars,\nwith assistance and funding by USIA, CU and\nthe Carnegie Foundation. African scholars\nof American studies will attend from many\nparts of Africa and will return to their\ncountries to conduct followup workshops and\nconference.\nEthiopia - USIS will produce a multi-media\nprogram \"Afro-America History\" at the\nAfrica Hall of the Organization of African\nUnity building in Addis Ababa. The material\nwill include lectures, a jazz group, panel\ndiscussions and an exhibit.\nGhana - A major USIS effort in Ghana will\nbe a Trade Fair Exhibit \"200 Years of\nFarming in USA\", with emphasis on U.S.\nfarm life, food production and equipment.\nIvory Coast A three day seminar for\ncollege and graduate level students will\nbe devoted to American studies, with\nemphasis on Black-American history.\n-17-\nTanzania - A lecture series, \"History of the\nAmerican Economic system\", will use an\nAmerican visiting specialist, films, videotapes\nand appropriate publications.\n-18-\nLATIN AMERICAN PROGRAMS\nThe major regional effort for Latin America was the\nAmerican Studies Conference held in San Antonio and that\nbrought together American studies scholars from the area.\nTo date, our posts have reported over 420 individual\nprojects dealing with the Bicentennial.\nSome examples follow:\nArgentina - a former International Visitors\nProgram grantee has been scheduled to give\na series of lectures which will include \"The\nAmerican Revolution and its Influence in\nArgentina\" and \"A Personal View of the U.S. \"\nBrazil - the post will produce a major documentary\non Dom Pedro II's visit to the U.S. in 1876.\nChile - USIS has undertaken a joint program\n(\"The Western World in the Eighteenth Century -\non the occasion of the Bicentennial\") in\ncooperation with the embassies of France,\nGreat Britain, the Federal Republic of Germany\nand the Office of Cultural Advisor to the Chilean\nGovernment. Special months have been assigned\nto each participating embassy for a program\nthat will run throughout the Bicentennial year.\nEl Salvador - The USIS Speakers Bureau, which\nis made up of Chamber of Commerce members\n(80 percent Salvadoran) is organizing multi-media\nlectures on Bicentennial themes.\nMexico - Our post has undertaken a cooperative\neffort, approved by the Mexican Secretariat of\nEducation, that will result in the publication and\ndistribution of 500, 000 copies of a school text on\nSpanish contributions to the U.S. The book is\nintended for first-year secondary students in\nthe Mexican school system.\n-19-\nVenezuela - A Bicentennial communications seminar,\nfocusing on freedom of the press provisions of the\nU.S. and Venezuelan Constitutions is scheduled in\nApril. Pierre Salinger, Eric Severeid, Helen\nThomas, Eli Abel and James Goodsell are among\nthose expected to participate.\n-20-\nThe programs we have described are representative\nof a comprehensive effort by our program elements in\nWashington and our overseas posts to use the Bicentennial\nto underscore concepts basic to American society and our\nforeign policy objectives. Although these have always\nbeen the programmatic goals of USIA, the celebration of\nour 200th year has given them--and hopefully our audiences - -\nspecial meaning and clarity.\nAMERICANA REVOLUTION 1776-1976"
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