The two readings from this week discuss local and national celebrations and their goals and effectiveness towards their communities. Bodnar focuses on national events for the bicentennial of the Revolutionary War and the centennial of the Civil War. One of his main themes reveal that there is disconnect between the government or administrations goals in the ceremony and the all the population. In particular the Revolutionary War bicentennial more than the Civil War, the administrations goals were to involve as many citizens as possible to instill a celebration of patriotism. While the government tries to celebrate the nation’s heritage and use this event to sooth the national discontent with the Vietnam War and social issue, the public did not always want to celebrate and some groups even called for another revolution because of the withering conditions of the United States. Therefore, celebrations such as these can be used for political purposes to try and gain national unity in times of turmoil. Another major theme for Bodnar was the main purpose of the centennial of the Civil War sparks an increase in tourism because of the marketing done for the celebration. Civil War battlefields and monuments increase at the sites during the 1960s because of the centennial and the major tone was unity rather than the split in the nation. This gave the Southern population a chance to renew their image in the Civil War and by 1965, Burton states in Virginia that the state “gained a more sympathetic appreciation everywhere of the Southern position.(226)”
Glassburg focuses on city celebrations at the local level that celebrate local history. These celebrations are used mostly for an attempt at sparking a feeling of city pride and unity, however these parades and events tend to leave out the minorities of the community. One problem is that they give one face to the community. One positive aspect of celebrating local history was the increase in local tourism because of the events, therefore lifting up the economy in the area. I questioned the purpose of the festivities and whether they were a marketing tool for local politicians and a chance to spark the economy or whether they should be about giving a chance for all groups to tell their side of the local history and have a chance to celebrate the entire city’s history rather than just one perspective.
I found the portion in the Bodnar article on the Centennial and our conversation in class today enlightening. As the government tried to encourage the symbol of heroism to influence the country to unite under a common banner, to feel patriotic and loyal, racial tensions continued to shape the country's attitude. National unity had not been achieved. The government and its official version of celebration didn't go about planning in the right manner, and groups made that known. But as you pointed out, even though there was turmoil and controversy, tourism still went up. People are still drawn to the past, even if the issues are a little touchy.
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