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The official bicentennial year began with the Acceptance Day parade for the class of 2005 (August 2001) and continues through the graduation of the Class of 2002 (June 2002), with selected events in the fall of 2002. (updated 26 April 2002- marked with NEW! This update)

Events are listed by date, from first to last.
UPCOMING: Ongoing | Oct 02
PAST: Aug 01 | Oct 01 | Nov 01 | Dec 01 | Jan 02 | Feb 02 | Mar 02 | Apr 02 | May 02 | Jun 02 | Jul 02

 
Bicentennial Event recaps     Upcoming Events
   Back to top Ongoing Events
Color Guard
and
Schedule
Write-upPhotos		 Photo of Color Guard U.S. Corps of Cadets Color Guard- The Color Guard presents the colors at many USMA and non-USMA events. The Bicentennial flag became part of the colors during an unfurling ceremony on Acceptance Day, and will remain throughout the celebration. This page tracks the Color Guard's appearances during this time.
   Back to top October 2002
  Smithsonian Exhibition (October 2002) in Washington DC- The exhibit, co-sponsored by the Association of Graduates Non-USMA website, opens new window, the U.S. Army Center of Military History Non-USMA website, opens new window, and the Smithsonian Institution Non-USMA website, opens new window will tell the story of West Point graduates in the development of the United States through the themes of engineering, exploration, and war.
  Patriots' Weekend (4-6 October 2002) The West Point Museum is sponsoring the Brigade of the American Revolution's Non-USMA website, opens new window 40th anniversary Grand Encampment to coincide with the USMA Bicentennial and the 225th anniversary of the Battle of Ft. Montgomery and British invasion of the Hudson Highlands. The weekend will include scheduled talks and demonstrations of various 18th Century subjects such as military tactics, rifles and muskets, artillery, uniforms and the general experiences of the various soldiers and their families in the war stricken colonies and Hudson Valley in particular. A parade by the reenactors and a dedication ceremony commemorating the 225th anniversary of the Hudson Valley Revolutionary War events is anticipated. These activities will be in conjunction with the Town of Highland Falls and the soon to open Ft. Montgomery Battle Site. Camps will be open to the public to tour and visitors may meet and speak with the reenactors.

 
Bicentennial Event recaps     Past Events
   Back to top August 2001
Carved limestone Bicentennial seal in the Taylor Hall courtyard Bicentennial Seal, Class of 2002 Acceptance- Prior to the bicentennial year, activities were planned around the acceptance day events for the Class of 2002. Alumni from each "living class" were invited to represent the "Long Gray Line" at the acceptance parade for the Class of 2002, on 15 August 1998. Coincident with this parade was a ceremony dedicating the Bicentennial Seal. The seal is sculpted, in a limestone shield, in the courtyard of Taylor Hall.
Recap Write-upPhotos Bicentennial Quilt Bicentennial Quilt Presentation (17 August 2001) The West Point Quilters, and nearly 40 outside quilters, combined efforts to create the "Long Gray Line Bicentennial Quilt." The quilt was presented to the Academy and is on permanent display at Eisenhower Hall.
Recap Write-upPhotosVideo Clip(s) Acceptance Day parade for the Class of 2005 (18 August 2001) the kickoff event for the Bicentennial celebration.
Recap Write-upPhotos Ring Weekend for the Class of 2002 (24 August 2001) The Class of 2002 received their class rings during a special presentation by astronaut COL(R) Bill McArthur (’73) ( Read his biography on NASA's website Non-USMA website, opens new window ). The ring presentation also marked the inauguration of the Class Ring Memorial Program Non-USMA website, opens new window where the gold from former grads' rings is incorporated into those of future grads.
   Back to top October 2001
Online Brochure Write-upPhotos West Point Museum Exhibit opening (1 October 2001) Read the online brochure. For general information, see the Museum's web pageUSMA web site.
Recap Write-upPhotos Hispanic Heritage Dinner (15 October 2001) As part of the Bicentennial celebration, West Point paid tribute to Hispanic Graduates and their contributions at a dinner in the Cadet Mess Regimental Room. Guest speaker was Dr. Samuel Saldivar, Director of Instruction in the Department of Foreign Languages and the most senior faculty member at West Point.
Eisenhower Hall's film schedule Non-USMA website, opens new window 1934 Hollywood classic, "Flirtation Walk" Celebrating West Point in Film (16 October 2001 through 30 April 2002) Several Hollywood classics featuring West Point will be shown on select Tuesday nights at Eisenhower Hall Theater during this time.
   Back to top November 2001
Recap Write-upPhotos Thomas Jefferson icon Thomas Jefferson's Military Academy (1-3 November 2001) conference hosted by the Department of History. See the conference information page USMA web site.

Concert Video
and Recap Write-upPhotosVideo Clip(s)		 US Army Band logo Veterans Day Concert (11 November 2001) The U.S. Army Band played specially composed bicentennial compositions during the National Observance of Veteran's Day Concert in Washington D.C. The Cadet Glee Club also performed. Also see the US Army Band websiteNon-USMA website, opens new window.
Contest
home page USMA web site		 Engineering Contest home page art(11 November 2001) West Point Bicentennial Engineering Design Contest began- This program and contest highlight West Point's engineering heritage to the youth of America. The interactive bridge design computer program can be downloaded.
Photos Photos Rockefeller Center Star-Raising Ceremony- (15 November 2001) The West Point Glee Club sang holiday music during the star-raising ceremony at Rockefeller Center.
Photos Photos A Bicentennial Year photo exhibit (19 November 2001 - January 2002), entitled "The West Point We Know," by USMA personnel, will be on display on the sixth level of Eisenhower Hall (second balcony level). This has been moved back from an earlier date.
   Back to top December 2001
Logo
Recap Write-upPhotos
 Army-Navy football game- (1 December 2001) In the 102nd contest between the two service academies, Army beat Navy 26-17 at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
   Back to top January 2002
Recap Write-upPhotosVideo Clip(s) Tournament of Roses Parade- (Tuesday, 1 January 2002) A contingent of cadets marched in the 2002 Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California. Included were the Color Guard, Pipes and Drums and 150 cadet volunteers. The cadets also carried a 30' x 50' flag at the beginning of the parade.
Photo Recaps Photos
Glee Club and
Movie Screening		 Glee Club sings "We Were Soldiers"- (9 January 2002, Wednesday) 50 members of the Cadet Glee Club performed the vocals for an original piece for the feature film, "We Were Soldiers." The song can be heard during the closing credits of the movie, which stars Mel Gibson and was directed by "Braveheart" veteran Randall Wallace. Wallace, who penned the lyrics to writer Nick Glennie-Smith's piece were also at the taping. In February, a Special Screening of "We Were Soldiers" was held at Eisenhower Hall and attended by the movies' stars and their real-life counterparts.
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 USMA Hellcats Hellcats on NBC-TV's "Today Show"- (Monday, 14 January 2002) USMA's field band, the Hellcats, provided music during segments of this day's broadcast of the "Today Show".
Recap Write-upPhotos USMA Band Brass USMA Band Bicentennial Concert Series- (Friday, 18 January 2002 at 8pm) A series of concerts at Eisenhower Hall featuring the USMA Band and specially composed Bicentennial music. This show featured the Concert Band and guest vocalist Jo Anne Worley.
   Back to top February 2002
Info Write-upPhotos USMA Band Brass USMA Band Bicentennial Concert Series- (Friday, 15 February 2002 at 8:00pm) A series of concerts at Eisenhower Hall featuring the USMA Band and specially composed Bicentennial music. This show featured the Concert Band and Cadet Glee Club.
Poster of Hollywood Salutes West Point Hollywood Salutes West Point- (Friday, 15 February - Saturday, 1 June 2002) A poster exhibit from the Michael Piepel Collection, 1929 Gallery.
Recap Write-upPhotos Photo of Henry O. Flipper, USMA 1877) African-American/Black History Month: Henry O. Flipper Dinner- (Thursday, 21 February 2002) "West Point’s Bicentennial: Henry O. Flipper-the Past, Diversity-the Future." West Point pays tribute to LT Henry O. Flipper as the first African-American graduate, a trailblazer, and an inspiration to the Military Academy, the Army, and America. The Corps took the opportunity to recognize the contributions of selected graduates while celebrating the diversity that began with LT Flipper more than 125 years ago.
   Back to top March 2002
Recap Write-upPhotos "Women's History Month" (March 2002) observed annually by the Academy to acknowledge and promote awareness of women's accomplishments and contributions. Special events typically include dinners, luncheons, guest speakers and occasional contests.
  "Making History: West Point at 200 Years" (Thursday-Saturday, 7-9 March 2002) conference hosted by the Department of History (see the conference information page USMA web site)
Photos Photos New York Stock Exchange Closing Bell (Wednesday, 13 Mar 2002) in New York City, Lieutenant General William J. Lennox, Jr., rang the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange in honor the Academy's bicentennial. Eight cadets interested in economics also represented the Academy at the ceremony.
Photos Photos Bicentennial Ceremonial Coin Strike (Thursday, 14 March 2002)
Photos Photos USMA Band Brass Bicentennial concert at Carnegie Hall (Friday, 15 Mar 2002) in New York City, performed by the USMA BandUSMA web site, Cadet Glee Club, the USMA Hellcats and the Herald Trumpets. Traditional West Point music and Bicentennial music commissions were featured.
Recap Write-upPhotos Founders Day celebration (Saturday, 16 March 2002) in the Cadet Mess.

Overview Write-upPhotos		 West Point Stamp (Saturday, 16 March 2002) unveiling. Follow link for description and purchase information.

Overview Write-upPhotos
 Bicentennial Coin (Saturday, 16 March 2002) unveiling. Follow link for description and purchase information.
Latest results USMA web site West Point Bicentennial Engineering Design Contest semi-finals (Saturday, 16 March 2002) (see the contest home pageUSMA web site)
  West Point Day (Wednesday, 20 March 2002) - In Albany, NY - Selected cadets from New York State accompanied Lieutenant General William J. Lennox, Jr., to the capitol for an annual ceremony honoring West Point's contributions to the state. Following resolutions in the state senate and assembly, the governor signed a proclamation announcing that Thursday, March 20, 2002, is West Point Day throughout the state.
   Back to top April 2002
  "Celebrating 200 Years of Engineering Education," (Friday-Saturday, 5-6 April 2002) Conference of the American Society for Engineering Education, Zone I, hosted by the USMA math, science, and engineering departments. (See the conference information page USMA web site)
  USMA Band Brass USMA Band Bicentennial Concert Series- (Sunday, 7 April 2002 at 3:00 pm) A series of concerts at Eisenhower Hall featuring the USMA Band and specially composed Bicentennial music. This show featured the Jazz Knights.
Recap Write-upPhotos Thayer Award Presentation (18 April 2002, Thursday)
Information International Celebration Week (Monday-Saturday, 22 April to 27 April) Celebrated West Point's past, present, and future relationships with the international community. Special activities included visits by foreign dignitaries and general officers, international alumni, and cadets from foreign service academies. A special tribute to our former and current exchange and liaison officers was paid, as well as to the 43 international cadets enrolled at the Academy at the time. The International Sandhurst competition USMA web site on 27 April concluded the week's activities.
  USMA Band Brass USMA Band Bicentennial Concert Series- (Friday, 26 April 2002 at 8:00pm) A series of concerts at Eisenhower Hall featuring the USMA Band and specially composed Bicentennial music. This show featured the Concert Band and Federal Republic of Germany Army Band.
Results USMA web site West Point Bicentennial Engineering Design Contest finals- (Friday-Sunday, 26-28 April 2002) Finalists compete at West Point (see the contest home pageUSMA web site)
   Back to top May 2002
  Centennial Class of 1902 (Monday, 6 May 2002)
Photos Photos Military Tattoo (Wednesday, 8 May 2002) in Washington DC- Conducted by The Old Guard and The US Army Band, combining a traditional evening military Tattoo ceremony with a historical presentation. It was on the Elipse next to the White House in honor of the USMA Bicentennial.
Photos Photos  Dedication of the Alumni Gallery at the Jewish Chapel (Thursday, 30 May 2002) Every graduating Jewish cadet - past, present, and future - is honored through a series of bronze tablets with their names.
   Back to top June 2002
Photos and Video on
Class Page PhotosVideo Clip(s)		 Graduation of the Bicentennial Class of 2002 (Saturday, 1 June 2002)
   Back to top July 2002
Recap Write-upPhotos  Saint Cyr Graduation (July 8-20 2002) More than 160 USMA cadets travelled to France on July 8, 2002. The cadets marched in the traditional military parade on the Champs-Elysees on Bastille Day (July 14, 2002). On July 20, 2002, USMA cadets participated in the graduation ceremony (Triomphe) of Ecole Speciale Militaire de Saint-Cyr. This was a return salute to Saint-Cyr in honor of their bicentennial. Saint-Cyriens marched in the Graduation Parade at West Point on May 31, 2002.
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Contests and Projects For You!

Also see more upcoming events listed in this column on the Media Page


Bicentennial Engineering Bridge Design contest
On-site Bridge Design contest, 27 April 2002.
USMA website, opens new window Contest page


West Point Leadership Archive Project
Are you a USMA grad? Then you can particpate in this project, set to archive and share the personal recount of how your cadet experience helped prepare you for your most significant leadership opportunity or challenge.
USMA website, opens new window Project page

Cadet, Laurel device
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