When Do Collective Memories Last

Founding Moments in the United States and Australia

Bibliographic Data

ID11204166
AuthorsLyn Spillman (0000-0003-0725-2457, corresponding author)
Year1998
Volume22
Issue4
Pages445-477
Publication date1998-01-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueSocial Science History (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0145-5532 • E-ISSN: 1527-8034
PublisherCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1017/s0145553200017910
OpenAlexW2331278089
LanguageEN
Citations received43
References cited48

In 1876, there was a huge commemoration of the centennial of American independence. The year was marked in many ways, by many groups, in many parts of the country. The central event, though, was a grand International Exhibition in Philadelphia, four years in the making. Planners first met in 1872 in Independence Hall and spoke at length about the sacredness of the venue: “It is altogether fit and wise that we should take our first step and utter our first words in this hall. There sat John Hancock, presiding over that immortal body. There came Jefferson, Franklin, Adams, Sherman, and Livingston presenting the sacred declaration. There lies the broken and silent bell, which at the word proclaimed liberty throughout the land to all the inhabitants thereof” (USCC 1873: 24-25). The theme was taken up by many others in many different ways. Images of the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, Washington, and Franklin were scattered throughout centennial ceremonies, buildings, poems, histories, and other documents. The revolution was used as a touchstone in talk about the exhibition and as a rich source of national symbolism

Archaeology · Art · Art history · Centennial · Declaration of independence · Event (particle physics · Exhibition · Hundredth · Independence (probability theory · Literature · Media studies · Paragraph · Poetry · Political science · Politics · Sociology · Theme (computing · Australian History and Society · Canadian Identity and History · Classics · History · Law · Philippine History and Culture

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