University of Richmond UR Scholarship Repository Master's Theses Student Research 1996 Virginia celebrates the Yorktown centennial of 1881 Julie Anne Sweet-McGinty Follow this and additional works at: http://scholarship.richmond.edu/masters-theses Part of the History Commons Recommended Citation Sweet-McGinty, Julie Anne, "Virginia celebrates the Yorktown centennial of 1881" (1996). Master's Theses. Paper 1077. This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Student Research at UR Scholarship Repository. It has been accepted for inclusion in Master's Theses by an authorized administrator of UR Scholarship Repository. For more information, please contact
[email protected]. VIRGINIA CELEBRATES THE YORKTOWN CENTENNIAL OF 1881 Julie Anne Sweet-McGinty Thesis for Master of Arts Degree University of Richmond, 1997 Dr. Robert C. Kenzer, Thesis Director This study chronicles the planning, execution, and aftermath of the Yorktown Centennial of October 1881 in Yorktown, Richmond, and Norfolk. Beyond its original expectation of memorializing the one hundredth anniversary of the last major battle for independence, as the first nationally prominent celebration to occur on Southern soil after the Civil War, it made reconciliation among the states a significant aspect of the occasion. Also, it marked the first national gathering after the assassination of President James A. Garfield as well as the occasion for the first public speech given by the new President, Chester A. Arthur. The presence of numerous foreign dignitaries added an element of international relations and helped to strengthen European ties. I certify that I have read this thesis and find that, in scope and quality, it satisfies the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts.