Ready Reference Files

United States Centennial and Bicentennial Symbols

There are two symbols that commemorate the American Revolution. The first, adopted in 1876 by the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition, is known as the "Spirit of '76". This symbol is recognizable as the two drummers and fife player with a bandaged head marching side by side with the U.S. flag waving in the background. The artist who created this was Archibald M. Willard, a carriage painter. The models for the figures were Willard's father (a Baptist minister) who posed as the drummer in the center, a soldier friend who was the fife player and the son of a railroad official as the drummer boy. The official bought the painting and donated it to Marblehead, Mass. where it was displayed in the town hall.

The second symbol adopted in 1976 is of a double star; a five-pointed white star in the center bordered by red, white and blue stripes (in some versions) that form the second star. "The two stars symbolize the two centuries that have passed since the Revolution. As for the free-flowing lines of the outer star, they are intended to 'evoke a feeling of festivity and suggest the furled bunting traditionally used in times of celebration throughout the nation'." This symbol was the result of a nationwide competition sponsored by the American Revolution Bicentennial Commission. The winner, which came from the graphic design firm of Chermayeff & Geismar Associates, was selected from submisssions of 100 designs.

Source: Changing Times Magazine, May 1974

Verified by: CM, 10/00

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