Founders Day Celebration

Several events took place during the week leading up to the Military Academy's Bicentennial Founders Day celebration. From last to first:

Founders Day Dinner and Fireworks
Saturday, 16 March 2002

The week concluded with the Founders Day Dinner at 6 p.m. Guest speaker retired Brig. Gen. Peter Dawkins, USMA Class of 1959, addressed invited alumni and guests at the dinner in Washington Hall in celebration of the Academy's founding. The dinner was followed by a special fireworks display at Trophy Point.
See the Founder's Day Dinner recap page.

Stamp, Coin Sales and Unveiling
Saturday, 16 March 2002

In conjunction with the U.S. Postal Service and the U.S. Mint, the U.S. Military Academy Bicentennial stamp and coin were unveiled during a ceremony at Eisenhower Hall at 10 a.m. Representatives from both agencies made remarks. Bicentennial stamps (with First Day Cancellations) and coins were sold at the Riverside Cafe, located on the 2nd floor in Eisenhower Hall, from approximately 8:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. The event was open to the public. According to Post Office and Mint officials, it was rare for two commemoratives to have been issued simultaneously.
See the Bicentennial Coin page
See the Bicentennial Stamp page

Bicentennial Concert at Carnegie Hall
Friday, 15 March 2002

Members of the U.S. Military Academy Band and Cadet Glee Club, as well as the Army Band's Herald Trumpets, performed.
See the Carnegie Hall concert recap page

Ceremonial Strike of the Bicentennial Coin
Thursday, 14 March 2002

Representatives of the Academy and Mint participated in a Ceremonial Strike of the West Point Bicentennial Coin at 9:30 a.m.
See the Bicentennial Coin page

NYSE Closing Bell
Wednesday, 13 March 2002

Superintendent Lt. Gen. William J. Lennox Jr. rung the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange. Cadet Joseph Da Silva, president of the Class of 2002, and several other cadets, also attended the ceremony.
See the NYSE Closing Bell recap page

16 MARCH 2002
On March 16, 1802, President Thomas Jefferson signed into law a bill of the United States Congress authorizing the establishment of "a military academy to be located at West Point in the State of New York."