JACKSON, Miss.–The state of Mississippi on Tuesday turned 196 years old.
With the bicentennial of 200 years coming up fast there has been a Mississippi Bicentennial Celebration Committee formed and they unveiled their plans for 2017.
“I think each community will decide the way they would like to celebrate,” said MBCC chairman Malcolm White. “And we hope to raise enough money to support them with matching grants and such.”
Along with the year-long celebration, the grand opening of the Museum of Mississippi History and the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum will coincide with a gala in December 2017.
“We hope that we have a statewide celebration,” said White. “You could see anything from ‘capital for a day’, parades, and political speeches.”
The image represented above depicts the symbol that will be synonymous with the celebration which is the rare Twenty-Star United States flag. It flew over the United States in 1818 and 1819 when Mississippi was the 20th state admitted to the union.
“This is a wonderful opportunity to honor the people and places that represent the heart of our state and to reflect on our rich heritage, unparalleled history, and numerous accomplishments,” said Lieutenant Governor Tate Reeves who was present at the unveiling.
The MBCC is a non-profit corporation and hopes to raise $10 million to support the celebration.
