{"id":115939,"date":"2025-03-18T08:54:00","date_gmt":"2025-03-18T12:54:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/?p=115939"},"modified":"2026-06-17T15:47:34","modified_gmt":"2026-06-17T19:47:34","slug":"060-centennials","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/060-centennials\/","title":{"rendered":"Happy Birthday America! How VA and Its Predecessors Celebrated the Nation\u2019s Independence at 100, 150, and 200 years"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-awb-color-custom-8-background-color has-background wp-block-paragraph\">This story is part of our series celebrating America\u2019s 250th anniversary. Find more captivating stories from the VA History Office at <em><a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/freedom-250\/\">Freedom 250<\/a><\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kb-image115939_dcd069-b0.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .kb-image115939_dcd069-b0 .kb-image-is-ratio-size{max-width:600px;width:100%;}.wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image115939_dcd069-b0.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image115939_dcd069-b0 .kb-image-is-ratio-size{align-self:unset;}.kb-image115939_dcd069-b0 figure{max-width:600px;}.kb-image115939_dcd069-b0 .image-is-svg, .kb-image115939_dcd069-b0 .image-is-svg img{width:100%;}.kb-image115939_dcd069-b0 .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image115939_dcd069-b0\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/02\/060-band-1908.jpg\" class=\"kb-advanced-image-link\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"599\" height=\"383\" src=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/02\/060-band-1908.jpg?w=599\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/02\/060-band-1908.jpg?w=599\" alt=\"1908 concert at Milwaukee National Home.\" class=\"lazyload kb-img wp-image-115942\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%27599%27%20height%3D%27383%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%20599%20383%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%27599%27%20height%3D%27383%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/02\/060-band-1908.jpg?resize=300,192 300w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/02\/060-band-1908.jpg 599w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-orig-sizes=\"(max-width: 599px) 100vw, 599px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>A concert at the soldiers\u2019 home in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, circa 1908. Similar concerts were performed by the Home Band as part of the home\u2019s centennial celebrations in 1876. (VA)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In 2026, the United States will celebrate the 250th anniversary of its independence. While this will be the\u00a0<a class=\"fw-safelink-flagged\" title=\"Microsoft SafeLink detected.\" aria-describedby=\"fw-safelink-note-1pf7gw4qeui\" data-fw-safelink-described=\"1\" data-fw-safelink-sr-id=\"fw-safelink-note-1pf7gw4qeui\" href=\"https:\/\/gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.va.gov%2F&amp;data=05%7C02%7C%7C76a0bbd40f6240bc180e08dec2481989%7Ce95f1b23abaf45ee821db7ab251ab3bf%7C0%7C0%7C639161812079298384%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=x6zP8p6Sao0kYQwOb6QKUNXaSSWp9E%2FLlmREdO1MUvk%3D&amp;reserved=0\" rel=\"noopener\">Department of Veterans Affairs<\/a>\u2019 first national milestone anniversary since becoming a\u00a0<a class=\"fw-safelink-flagged\" title=\"Microsoft SafeLink detected.\" aria-describedby=\"fw-safelink-note-yhw6w60al9\" data-fw-safelink-described=\"1\" data-fw-safelink-sr-id=\"fw-safelink-note-yhw6w60al9\" href=\"https:\/\/gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdepartment.va.gov%2Fhistory%2F100-objects%2Fobject-41-creating-the-department-of-veterans-affairs%2F&amp;data=05%7C02%7C%7C76a0bbd40f6240bc180e08dec2481989%7Ce95f1b23abaf45ee821db7ab251ab3bf%7C0%7C0%7C639161812079324547%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=G6Aew%2FYpmPHaiWQdd%2FKicZ%2F3m4D49TaYyQhlvPHC7ZU%3D&amp;reserved=0\">cabinet-level<\/a>\u00a0department in 1989, its predecessor organizations, including the\u00a0<a class=\"fw-safelink-flagged\" title=\"Microsoft SafeLink detected.\" aria-describedby=\"fw-safelink-note-lg7a7o4vu\" data-fw-safelink-described=\"1\" data-fw-safelink-sr-id=\"fw-safelink-note-lg7a7o4vu\" href=\"https:\/\/gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdepartment.va.gov%2Fhistory%2Ftopics%2Fnational-home-for-disabled-volunteer-soldiers%2F&amp;data=05%7C02%7C%7C76a0bbd40f6240bc180e08dec2481989%7Ce95f1b23abaf45ee821db7ab251ab3bf%7C0%7C0%7C639161812079344189%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=2ib7UTJThSzCsRos80DN6cOX0O%2FKC5yypscAqLVCTOs%3D&amp;reserved=0\">National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers<\/a>, the\u00a0<a class=\"fw-safelink-flagged\" title=\"Microsoft SafeLink detected.\" aria-describedby=\"fw-safelink-note-tr9otfhmd7\" data-fw-safelink-described=\"1\" data-fw-safelink-sr-id=\"fw-safelink-note-tr9otfhmd7\" href=\"https:\/\/gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdepartment.va.gov%2Fhistory%2Ftopics%2Fpension-bureau%2F&amp;data=05%7C02%7C%7C76a0bbd40f6240bc180e08dec2481989%7Ce95f1b23abaf45ee821db7ab251ab3bf%7C0%7C0%7C639161812079363775%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=9SmQpCbS9KFY8ihUEdiciXUvBOb%2FPsM7hHLFgSEoNIs%3D&amp;reserved=0\">Pension Bureau<\/a>, the\u00a0<a class=\"fw-safelink-flagged\" title=\"Microsoft SafeLink detected.\" aria-describedby=\"fw-safelink-note-1i2pctizss1\" data-fw-safelink-described=\"1\" data-fw-safelink-sr-id=\"fw-safelink-note-1i2pctizss1\" href=\"https:\/\/gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdepartment.va.gov%2Fhistory%2Ftopics%2Fveterans-bureau%2F&amp;data=05%7C02%7C%7C76a0bbd40f6240bc180e08dec2481989%7Ce95f1b23abaf45ee821db7ab251ab3bf%7C0%7C0%7C639161812079384968%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=n2ZPRQjVkYN6vS0LjrdUyv9aC%2BrTIdMhSPOxDLWrnOU%3D&amp;reserved=0\">Veterans Bureau<\/a>, and the\u00a0<a class=\"fw-safelink-flagged\" title=\"Microsoft SafeLink detected.\" aria-describedby=\"fw-safelink-note-f8q926f3b8c\" data-fw-safelink-described=\"1\" data-fw-safelink-sr-id=\"fw-safelink-note-f8q926f3b8c\" href=\"https:\/\/gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdepartment.va.gov%2Fhistory%2Ftopics%2Fveterans-administration%2F&amp;data=05%7C02%7C%7C76a0bbd40f6240bc180e08dec2481989%7Ce95f1b23abaf45ee821db7ab251ab3bf%7C0%7C0%7C639161812079403784%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=vXM9H5UVzMg9aRz2MRP6zSRJzhhq5GjbgWjLQaa%2Fv0Y%3D&amp;reserved=0\">Veterans Administration<\/a>, routinely participated in the nation\u2019s previous milestone celebrations. Each served to honor the contributions of American Veterans in preserving our freedom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For the nation\u2019s first centennial, thousands of Veterans celebrated the occasion at various branches of the <a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/exhibits\/national-homes-postcards\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"104292\">National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers<\/a>. By 1876, the National Home had opened branches in <a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/100-objects\/object-10-togus-time-capsule\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"104349\">Togus<\/a>, Maine; <a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/100-objects\/object-35-dayton-bible\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"105656\">Dayton<\/a>, Ohio; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and Hampton, Virginia. On the <a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/featured-stories\/independence-day-1875\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"104162\">Fourth of July<\/a>, the individual homes put on a series of events for both the Veterans in their care and the broader public. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The soldiers\u2019 home in Milwaukee hosted an array of field games, two concerts by the Home Band, dancing, and a fireworks display.<a id=\"_ftnref1\" href=\"#_ftn1\">[1]<\/a> Similar festivities took place at the soldiers\u2019 home in Dayton, where 60,000 visitors traveled to celebrate the Fourth.<a id=\"_ftnref2\" href=\"#_ftn2\">[2]<\/a> The day\u2019s activities concluded with a \u201cgrand illumination\u201d of approximately 18,000 tin lamps and numerous candles placed throughout the entirety of the grounds.<a id=\"_ftnref3\" href=\"#_ftn3\">[3]<\/a> Spectators regarded it as the \u201cfinest [illumination] ever attempted in the West.\u201d<a id=\"_ftnref4\" href=\"#_ftn4\">[4]<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kb-image115939_738ab8-98.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .kb-image115939_738ab8-98 .kb-image-is-ratio-size{max-width:500px;width:100%;}.wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image115939_738ab8-98.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image115939_738ab8-98 .kb-image-is-ratio-size{align-self:unset;}.kb-image115939_738ab8-98 figure{max-width:500px;}.kb-image115939_738ab8-98 .image-is-svg, .kb-image115939_738ab8-98 .image-is-svg img{width:100%;}.kb-image115939_738ab8-98 .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image115939_738ab8-98\"><figure class=\"alignright size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/02\/060-1926-exhibit-hall-scaled.jpg\" class=\"kb-advanced-image-link\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"2012\" src=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/02\/060-1926-exhibit-hall-scaled.jpg?resize=1400,1100\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/02\/060-1926-exhibit-hall-scaled.jpg?resize=1400,1100\" alt=\"Exhibit hall 1926 Sesquicentennial Exhibition\" class=\"lazyload kb-img wp-image-115941\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%272560%27%20height%3D%272012%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%202560%202012%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%272560%27%20height%3D%272012%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/02\/060-1926-exhibit-hall-scaled.jpg?resize=300,236 300w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/02\/060-1926-exhibit-hall-scaled.jpg?resize=600,472 600w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/02\/060-1926-exhibit-hall-scaled.jpg?resize=768,604 768w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/02\/060-1926-exhibit-hall-scaled.jpg?resize=1400,1100 1400w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/02\/060-1926-exhibit-hall-scaled.jpg?resize=1536,1207 1536w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/02\/060-1926-exhibit-hall-scaled.jpg 2560w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-orig-sizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Exhibit Hall at the 1926 Sesquicentennial Exhibition in Philadelphia. Both the Bureau of Pensions and the Veterans Bureau created exhibits for the event. (National Archives)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For the nation\u2019s 150th anniversary in 1926, the <a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/100-objects\/object-12-pension-bureau-building\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"104359\">Bureau of Pensions<\/a> and the newly <a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/featured-stories\/veterans-bureau\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"104069\">established <\/a>Veterans Bureau each created exhibits for the Sesquicentennial International Exhibition in Philadelphia. The Veterans Bureau\u2019s exhibit featured several hundred pieces of Veterans&#8217; art, each of which were made by patients at Bureau <a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/exhibits\/occupational-therapy\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"114946\">hospitals<\/a>. Accompanying the \u201cstrikingly illustrative\u201d pieces was a series of case studies and charts demonstrating the available benefits Veterans could receive through the Bureau.<a id=\"_ftnref5\" href=\"#_ftn5\">[5]<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Conversely, the Bureau of Pensions\u2019 display highlighted the stories of those eligible for federal pensions, including the surviving <a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/100-objects\/object-16-war-of-1812-widows-pension-claim\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"104388\">widows <\/a>of men who had served during the war of 1812. In their words, their exhibit served to \u201cproclaim the nation\u2019s gratitude for the suffering and sacrifice of the gallant soldiers and sailors who&#8230;cast their lives and fortunes on the altar of human freedom.\u201d<a id=\"_ftnref6\" href=\"#_ftn6\">[6]<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In 1930, the Pension Bureau, the Veterans Bureau, and the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers were <a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/featured-stories\/va-created\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"104138\">combined <\/a>to form the Veterans Administration. By the time of the nation\u2019s bicentennial in 1976, VA was responsible for distributing benefits and medical care to over 29 million Veterans, or roughly 15% of the country\u2019s population.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kb-image115939_06fc92-d3.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .kb-image115939_06fc92-d3 .kb-image-is-ratio-size{max-width:450px;width:100%;}.wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image115939_06fc92-d3.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image115939_06fc92-d3 .kb-image-is-ratio-size{align-self:unset;}.kb-image115939_06fc92-d3 figure{max-width:450px;}.kb-image115939_06fc92-d3 .image-is-svg, .kb-image115939_06fc92-d3 .image-is-svg img{width:100%;}.kb-image115939_06fc92-d3 .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image115939_06fc92-d3\"><figure class=\"alignleft size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/02\/060-Betty-Ford-1976.jpg\" class=\"kb-advanced-image-link\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1051\" height=\"664\" src=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/02\/060-Betty-Ford-1976.jpg?w=1051\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/02\/060-Betty-Ford-1976.jpg?w=1051\" alt=\"Betty Ford and Richard L. Roudebush, 1976\" class=\"lazyload kb-img wp-image-115943\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271051%27%20height%3D%27664%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%201051%20664%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%271051%27%20height%3D%27664%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/02\/060-Betty-Ford-1976.jpg?resize=300,190 300w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/02\/060-Betty-Ford-1976.jpg?resize=600,379 600w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/02\/060-Betty-Ford-1976.jpg?resize=768,485 768w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/02\/060-Betty-Ford-1976.jpg 1051w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-orig-sizes=\"(max-width: 1051px) 100vw, 1051px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>First Lady Betty Ford with VA\u2019s Administrator, Richard L. Roudebush, and VA\u2019s Assistant Deputy Administrator, Dale H. Grubb. Ford served as the honorary chairwoman of VA\u2019s bicentennial art contest. (VA)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To give Veterans around the country the opportunity to participate, the agency\u2019s Bicentennial Committee launched a national art contest for Veterans in VA hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, and other facilities. The theme of the contest, \u201cOur Veterans: Defending America Over 200 Years,\u201d encouraged participants to illustrate \u201cthe role Veterans have played over the past two centuries in protecting and preserving our nation\u2019s ideals and freedoms.\u201d<a id=\"_ftnref7\" href=\"#_ftn7\">[7]<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In total, VA received 121 entries from Veteran artists, with the top 21 entrants receiving a cash prize. First Lady Betty Ford, who served as the competition&#8217;s honorary chairwoman, viewed the winning entries at the White House. Ten of the winning paintings were also put on display in the lobby of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.<a id=\"_ftnref8\" href=\"#_ftn8\">[8]<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kb-image115939_654d8d-a4.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .kb-image115939_654d8d-a4 .kb-image-is-ratio-size{max-width:400px;width:100%;}.wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image115939_654d8d-a4.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image115939_654d8d-a4 .kb-image-is-ratio-size{align-self:unset;}.kb-image115939_654d8d-a4 figure{max-width:400px;}.kb-image115939_654d8d-a4 .image-is-svg, .kb-image115939_654d8d-a4 .image-is-svg img{width:100%;}.kb-image115939_654d8d-a4 .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image115939_654d8d-a4\"><figure class=\"alignright size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/02\/060-Winning-art-1976-e1740749140992.jpg\" class=\"kb-advanced-image-link\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"970\" height=\"530\" src=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/02\/060-Winning-art-1976-e1740749140992.jpg?w=970\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/02\/060-Winning-art-1976-e1740749140992.jpg?w=970\" alt=\"Judging art.\" class=\"lazyload kb-img wp-image-115940\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%27970%27%20height%3D%27530%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%20970%20530%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%27970%27%20height%3D%27530%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/02\/060-Winning-art-1976-e1740749140992.jpg?resize=300,164 300w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/02\/060-Winning-art-1976-e1740749140992.jpg?resize=600,328 600w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/02\/060-Winning-art-1976-e1740749140992.jpg?resize=768,420 768w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/02\/060-Winning-art-1976-e1740749140992.jpg 970w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-orig-sizes=\"(max-width: 970px) 100vw, 970px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Judges from VA\u2019s bicentennial art contest view one of the winning art pieces. In total, 121 Veterans participated in the contest. (VA)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Other bicentennial celebrations, contests, and displays took place at individual VA medical facilities throughout the nation. For example, patients at the local VA clinic in Knoxville, Iowa, planted 1,500 red, white and blue petunias to form the shape of the Liberty Bell and the numbers \u201c76.\u201d<a id=\"_ftnref9\" href=\"#_ftn9\">[9]<\/a> In Augusta, Georgia, VA hospital employees put on a bicentennial-themed variety show for their patients, and received such acclaim that they were invited to perform at other celebrations in the area.<a id=\"_ftnref10\" href=\"#_ftn10\">[10]<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some former service members even incorporated centennial themes into their medical care. A disabled Veteran in Brockton, Massachusetts, created a Bennington flag as part of his rehabilitation treatment, while another VA patient in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, carved wooden models of VA\u2019s bicentennial seal using the skills he learned in the hospital\u2019s woodworking class. Other bicentennial activities included planting commemorative trees, creating floats for local parades, and burying time capsules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Since 1876, national anniversary celebrations at VA and its predecessors have served to honor the contributions of servicemen and servicewomen in preserving our nation. VA looks forward to continuing this tradition during the nation\u2019s semiquincentennial in 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"#_ftnref1\" id=\"_ftn1\">[1]<\/a> &#8220;At the Soldier\u2019s Home,\u201d <em>Daily Milwaukee News<\/em>, July 4, 1876.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"#_ftnref2\" id=\"_ftn2\">[2]<\/a> &#8220;The Fourth was a Vast Success at the Soldiers\u2019 Home,\u201d <em>Xenia Semi-Weekly Gazette<\/em> (Xenia, OH), July 11, 1876.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"#_ftnref3\" id=\"_ftn3\">[3]<\/a> \u201cThe Centennial Fourth at the Soldiers\u2019 Home,\u201d <em>Miami Helmet <\/em>(Piqua, OH), July 20, 1876.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"#_ftnref4\" id=\"_ftn4\">[4]<\/a> &#8220;The Fourth was a Vast Success at the Soldiers\u2019 Home.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"#_ftnref5\" id=\"_ftn5\">[5]<\/a> E. L. Austin and Odell Hauser, <em>The Sesqui-Centennial International Exposition: A Record Based on Official Data and Departmental Reports<\/em> (Philadelphia: Current Publications, Inc., 1929), 119, https:\/\/www.google.com\/books\/edition\/The_Sesqui_centennial_International_Expo\/W4dAAAAAIAAJ?hl=en&amp;gbpv=1&amp;bsq=pensions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"#_ftnref6\" id=\"_ftn6\">[6]<\/a> \u201cSesquicentennial Exhibit Featured Display of Veterans Programs,\u201d <em>VAnguard <\/em>22, no. 27 (June 29, 1976).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"#_ftnref7\" id=\"_ftn7\">[7]<\/a> \u201cBicentennial Art for Patients,\u201d <em>Bicentennial Bulletin<\/em> 1, no. 2 (December 22, 1975), https:\/\/www.fordlibrarymuseum.gov\/sites\/default\/files\/pdf_documents\/library\/document\/0067\/1563282.pdf.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"#_ftnref8\" id=\"_ftn8\">[8]<\/a> \u201cWinning Art at Kennedy Center,\u201d <em>VAnguard<\/em> 22, no. 32 (September 7, 1976).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"#_ftnref9\" id=\"_ftn9\">[9]<\/a> \u201cKnoxville Hospital Patients Grew a Bicentennial Bell in Living Color,\u201d <em>VAnguard<\/em> 22, no. 32 (September 21, 1976).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"#_ftnref10\" id=\"_ftn10\">[10]<\/a> \u201cAugusta Employees Mark Nation\u2019s Birth,\u201d <em>VAnguard<\/em> 22, no. 32 (September 7, 1976).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In 2026, the United States will celebrate the 250th anniversary of its independence. While this will be the Department of Veterans Affairs\u2019 first national milestone anniversary since becoming a cabinet-level department in 1989, its predecessor organizations, including the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, the Pension Bureau, the Veterans Bureau, and the Veterans Administration, routinely participated in the nation\u2019s previous milestone celebrations. Each served to honor the contributions of American Veterans in preserving our freedom.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":115941,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[144,109,23,108,28],"class_list":["post-115939","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-featured-stories","tag-america-250","tag-department-of-veterans-affairs","tag-national-home-for-disabled-volunteer-soldiers","tag-pension-bureau","tag-veterans-administration"],"parsely":{"version":"1.1.0","canonical_url":"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/060-centennials\/","smart_links":{"inbound":0,"outbound":0},"traffic_boost_suggestions_count":0,"meta":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","headline":"Happy Birthday America! How VA and Its Predecessors Celebrated the Nation\u2019s Independence at 100, 150, and 200 years","url":"http:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/060-centennials\/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"http:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/060-centennials\/"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/02\/060-1926-exhibit-hall-scaled.jpg?w=300","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/02\/060-1926-exhibit-hall-scaled.jpg"},"articleSection":"Featured Stories","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Department of Veterans Affairs (smw)"}],"creator":["Department of Veterans Affairs (smw)"],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"VA History","logo":""},"keywords":["america 250","department of veterans affairs","national home for disabled volunteer soldiers","pension bureau","veterans administration"],"dateCreated":"2025-03-18T12:54:00Z","datePublished":"2025-03-18T12:54:00Z","dateModified":"2026-06-17T19:47:34Z"},"rendered":"<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"wp-parsely-metadata\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"NewsArticle\",\"headline\":\"Happy Birthday America! 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