fJm 3S:J.. ~#3f ~-------------------------------.~~~~~'"~~------------- v.3/:L South Carolina JUN241976 Volume3 "Battleground of Freedom" Number2 South Carolina Celebrates July 4 in Spirit of 76 Towns and cities across the Palmetto State are planning many festive events sure to make South Carolina's 1976 Fourth of July weekend a memorable one. From the mountains to the coast, citizens will enjoy pro­ grams ranging from colonial church services to square dances to the cut­ ting of a 500-pound birthday cake. In the Piedmont, the Greenville County Bicentennial Committee is sponsoring a full slate of activities which will begin July 2, when the new A MORE PERFECT UNION · Greenville City Hall is dedicated. A Bicentennial Ball to be held at Memo­ rial Auditorium will highlight festivities Saturday. Tickets to the ball are Bell Ringing To $10 per person and may be purchased from Memorial Auditorium. A free celebration July 4 will feature family picnics, patriotic music and fire­ Herald Century Ill works on the grounds of Furman University. In the Capital City, the Richland County Bicentennial Committee will Governor James B. Edwards and host a two-day celebration July 3-4. The public is invited to attend an the South Carolina Legislature "old-fashioned Fourth of July picnic" on Saturday at the Robert Mills have called for a statewide ringing House. A wide variety of musical programs will be offered to the pic­ of bells at 2:00p.m. EDST on July 4, nickers, including spiritual, barber shop, country and western and con­ 1976, to herald the Nation's en­ temporary. Arts and crafts displays will be featured, along with an au­ trance into its third century. The thentically designed 1776 display by the Second Regiment South Caro­ Governor's proclamation and the lina Line, Continental Establishment. Legislature's Concurrent Resolu­ On Sunday, there will be a Citizens Day Parade down Main Street at tion encourage citizens to take· 2:00 p.m., followed by a State House ceremony featuring remarks by Lt. part in the South Carolina Bi­ Governor Brantley Harvey. Five hundred pounds of Bicentennial birthday centennial Commission program, cake will be on hand for those attending the State House ceremony. A "A More Perfect Union." This effort fireworks display at Fort Jackson will close Columbia's Independence urges "patriotic programs of family Day celebration. and neighborhood involvement Many communities will celebrate July 4 with religious services and during the day of July 4, 1976." events. Five churches in Laurens will hold a joint Bicentennial service at The bell ringing segment of "A 7:00 p.m., on July 4. Dr. Charles Lee, Director of the South Carolina More Perfect Union" commemo­ Department of Archives and History and a member of the State Bicenten­ rates the exact time 200 years ago nial Commission, will be the featured speaker. During the day, rural that the Liberty Bell proclaimed churches in the county will host various patriotic ceremonies and events, the independence of a new nation. and the city of Laurens will be officially dedicated as a Bicentennial Bells across the country, including Community. the historic Liberty Bell, will ring The Charleston County Parade will be staged July 2 at 11:00 a.m., with out at this hour. In addition, radio a Bicentennial Harbor Parade consisting of boats, yachts and all types of and television stations have been watercraft to be held on the same day at 3:00p.m., in Charleston Harbor. asked to broadcast the sound of The county's official Fourth of July celebration is planned for Charles bells during this two-minute pe- Towne Landing on July 5. rio d. (continued on page 2) (continued on page 7) * * * July 4, 1976 * * * July 4, 1976 Message South Carolina Bicentennial News On this memorable day, it is the Published by the South Carolina Ameri­ fervent hope of your Bicentennial can Revolution Bicentennial Commis­ Commission that all South Carolin­ sion, established in 1971. ians will remember the persever­ ance, wisdom and great sacrifice P. BRADLEY MORRAH, JR. given so unselfishly by our fore­ Chairman bears 200 years ago and will pause to honor this great past, asking for JOHN E. HILLS, Director Divine guidance for the nation as it enters its third century. Send all news items and correspon­ This commission extends its dence to: sincere thanks to each of you who BETSY WOLFF, EDITOR has and will observe this historic BICENTENNIAL NEWS occasion. The response of citizens P. 0. BOX 1976 to the Bicentennial challenge has been overwhelming. We can point with COLUMBIA, S. C. 29202 .I pride to more than 4,500 registered proj~cts voluntari_ly ~nd~rtaken throughout South Carolina in commemoration of our nat1on s birthday. There has literally been a groundswell of enthusiasm in South Carolina, evidenced by countless projects in every part of the state. (continued from page 1) This overwhelming response has been brought about at a minimal cost to taxpayers in the use of their state tax dollars. While in the thirteen Elsewhere in the state, the dedi­ original colonies alone more than 40 million dollars in state monies has cation of Bicentennial Square at been appropriated, South Carolina's Bicentennial Commission has re­ Myrtle Beach will be held July 4 at ceived direct state appropriations of tax monies of only some $115,000. 21st and Oak Streets, the location Many of the projects undertaken throughout the state are of a permanent of the South Carolina Hall of Fame. nature and will endure to the benefit of future generations. A flag from each of the original thir­ While this is a day of great national moment and interest, it by no teen colonies will be placed in the means marks the end of the state's Bicentennial Era, which lasts through Hall of Fame by officers of the Myr­ 1983. The real story of South Carolina's vital role in the American Revolu­ tle Beach American Revolution Bi­ tion does not unfold with all of its suffering and glory until the years centennial Commission. 1781 1782 and 1783. Again, it is the hope of your commission that the Square dancing, clogging, great patri~tic spirit which has been so vividly displayed durin~ this Bi­ greased pig chases and a hooten­ centennial year will not entirely diminish, but will continue as 1t should anny featuring real hillbilly music throughout our Bicentennial Era. will be the order of the day in the Nineteenth century historian George Bancroft observed that none Oconee County community of "suffered more dared more or achieved more" than did the brave sons Mountain Rest. and daughters 'of the Palmetto State. We have _followed this peo~le­ In Cowpens, that city's Bicen­ oriented course, focusing on citizen involvement mstead of tax momes, tennial Committee is planning an in commemorating our nation's Bicentennial. In following this course, old-fashioned Fourth of July week­ we have met with great success. P. Bradley Morrah, Jr. end that will include arts and crafts demonstrations, picnics, a huge square dance and fireworks. We The People Wins Awards On Saturday, the committee will bury a marble-encased time cap­ "We the People", a Bicen­ chose the patriotic rally as the sule that will be opened in 2076. tennial extravaganza spon­ best non-recurring attraction Citizens are invited to attend the sored by the South Carolina in 1975. events, which will include the cut­ Bicentennial Commission "We the People," a patri­ ting of a "Happy Birthday Amer­ Oct. 20, 1975, has received otic rally staged at Williams­ ica" cake expected to serve some two special awards. The event Brice Stadium, featured Bob 1,400 persons. was selected by the National Hope, Anita Bryant, Minnie Among other towns planning Awards Jury of Freedoms Pearl, Martha Raye, Frank old-fashioned Fourth of July Foundation at Valley Forge to Blair, Sam Jaffe, and some events are Hilton Head, Aiken and receive the Valley Forge Hon­ twelve thousand performers. North Augusta. There will be or scroll for governmental ac­ More than 50,000 citizens at­ countless family reunions, church tivity during 1975. In addition, tended the free program, picnics and neighborhood gather­ the South Carolina Travel which was also supported by ings in towns and cities in all of Council, a division of the the State Fair Association. South Carolina, as the nation en­ State Chamber of Commerce, ters her third century. Port City Plans Huge Celebration A gala Bicentennial celebration that promises to have something for everyone is planned for the Charleston area June 26-28. The event, an annual celebration called Carolina Days, commemorates the great patriot victory at the battle of Sullivan's Island on June 28, 1776. The obverse of the state Bicentennial medallion features Sgt. William Jasper's heroic res­ Beginning on Saturday, June 26, cue of the South Carolina flag at the Battle of Sullivan's Island on June 28, 1776. Becky Wil­ an authentic 18th century military liams, Welcome Center Coordinator, (R) and Deborah Andrews, State House Tour Guide, are encampment will be erected at seen wearing the South Carolina Bicentennial scarf. The red, white and blue scarf features the state's Bicentennial logo. Middleton Place, and manned by representatives of re-created 18th century British and American mili­ tary units. During the day, the Gold Medallion Issued troops will give drill exhibitions. Saturday evening, the festivities The official South Carolina Bicentennial medallion, available in bronze will move to downtown Charleston, and silver since 1974, was recently issued in an extremely limited 18- where a Torch Light Parade featur­ karat gold edition. According to State Commission Chairman P. Bradley ing colonial military units will trav­ Morrah, Jr., 500 high-relief medallions 1-inch in diameter have been el from the intersection of Broad minted.