Foreign Relations of the United States, 1917–1972, Volume VIII, Public Diplomacy, 1969–1972

44. Circular Airgram From the Department of State to the Embassy in France¹

CA–6011

Washington, November 5, 1969, 1601Z

SUBJECT

• Bureau of International Expositions (BIE): Reservation of United States Bicentennial Date—1976

As the Embassy knows, the subject of an international exposition to be organized in the United States in 1976 as part of the Bicentennial celebrations has been under active consideration by The American Revolution Bicentennial Commission (ARBC). The Commission, authorized by Act of Congress, is now developing plans for all aspects of the Bicentenary.² Three formal sessions have been held since July, most recently on October 8–9. Additional sessions are planned at an early date.

As part of its work, the Commission has heard detailed presentations from three major cities—Boston, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C.—which seek the privilege of holding the type of international exposition in 1976 that would qualify for sanction by the Bureau of International Expositions (BIE). At least one other city has requested the opportunity for a similar presentation. Meanwhile, the Commission is in communication with the Governors of the 50 states in order to coordinate all phases of the program and to insure that it will be thoroughly national in character.

Due to unavoidable circumstances, the Commission has not been able to complete its study and recommendations on the important issue of an international exposition. However, as a result of the October meetings, the Commission has asked the Secretary of Commerce to have his United States Expositions Staff proceed with the necessary technical studies of the various exposition projects.

At the October meetings, the Commission was advised of previous diplomatic action taken by the Embassy in 1964, under guidance from the Department, to protect the Bicentennial dates with the BIE.³ As the enclosure indicates, the Commission also requested the Department to take whatever action is advisable to continue (or “renew”) the United States reservation of 1976 for an international exposition of a nature appropriate to the Bicentennial.⁴

The Embassy is, therefore, authorized to communicate with the BIE and to ask that this request be taken under official advisement by the BIE Classification Committee at its meeting of November 10 and by the BIE Administrative Council at its meeting of November 14, probably under Agenda item 12.⁵ The United States would hope by this action to set in motion the BIE’s formal processes for clearance of the year 1976 for an international exposition of a universal category in this country.

The American Revolution Bicentennial Commission has indicated, in connection with the above actions, that it hopes to make its recommendation to the President on the exposition element of the Bicentennial as early in 1970 as possible. The Department will promptly forward to the Embassy for transmittal to the BIE the result of this executive decision and the supporting details as to the site, theme, timing and method of organization of the exposition project.

On such a schedule the United States would hopefully anticipate that formal considerations by the BIE might be concluded in time for affirmative action by its membership at the semi-annual Administrative Council meeting in May, 1970.

Rogers

1. Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1967–69, CUL 8. Unclassified. Drafted by Blair and Hurd on November 4; cleared in draft by Teal, and by telephone by Spector, Colligan, Edgar Beigel (EUR/FBX), Churchill, and William Nelson; approved by Phillips. Sent for information to Athens, Beirut, Bern, Bonn, Brussels, Bucharest, Budapest, Copenhagen, Dar Es Salaam, The Hague, Helsinki, Lagos, Lisbon, London, Monaco (via the Consulate in Nice), Moscow, Oslo, Ottawa, Port Au Prince, Prague, Rabat, Rome, Sofia, Stockholm, Tel Aviv, Tokyo, Tunis, Vienna, Warsaw, and Wellington. A typed notation on the airgram designates these addressees as capitals of BIE member nations.
2. On July 8, 1966, Johnson signed into law legislation establishing the American Revolution Bicentennial Commission (P.L. 89–491; 80 Stat. 259), charged with planning the multi-year independence celebrations.
3. Confirmed by letters received from BIE President Barety and BIE Director Chalon in January, 1966 forwarded under Embassy airgrams #1647 and #1338. [Footnote is in the original.]
4. Enclosed but not printed is an October 15 memorandum from Sterling to Stans.
5. In Circular Airgram 6381 to multiple posts, November 28, the Department indicated that that U.S. representatives to the BIE meeting had renewed the official reservation of 1976. Recognizing that international participation in the Bicentennial was a key component of the Department of Commerce study, the Department also requested that posts respond to an enclosed paper entitled “Plans for U.S. Bicentennial Exposition—1976 ‘Century III,’” regarding the feasibility of international participation in the Bicentennial, specifically at a U.S.-hosted international exposition in 1976. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1967–69, CUL 8)