What was the American Revolution Bicentennial?

It was a series of events held in all fifty states, U.S. territories, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico as well as international observances in dozens of other countries commemorating the American Revolution.  The climax of the Bicentennial celebration was on Sunday, July 4, 1976, which marked the  200th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

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What occurred on July 4, 1776?

By issuing the Declaration of Independence, adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, the thirteen American colonies declared their political connections to Great Britain severed and their allegiance to the King of Great Britain ended. The Declaration noted specific grievances against the King as the motivation for the colonists seeking to be Free and Independence States.

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How did the United States plan the celebration of the Bicentennial?

Planning began at the federal level in 1966 with the establishment of the American Revolution Bicentennial Commission (ARBC) and continued later under the auspices of the American Revolution Bicentennial Administration (ARBA).  Bicentennial Commissions were established in each of the fifty states to encourage local communities to participate and to coordinate local activities with the federal efforts. Two centerpieces of foreign participation were the Festival of American Folklife, with its “Old Ways in the New World” program, and Operation Sail-OPSAIL ‘76, which included a parade of military vessels from 25 nations in New York Harbor.