Phio Centennial Celebration Centennial Commission Governor George G. Nash Gen. 3. Warren Reiter Gen. Charles M. Anderson Gen. James Barnett Gen. BR Cowen Hon. David S. Gray Don. Rush R. Sloane Me.George 37. Baveis Me W.H. Hunter Hon. A.R. M Hutive Mr. E., Randall Hon. D. Ryan Gen. George B. Wright E. 11. Randall Secretary Columbus, Ohio to be known as "Ohio Day." It was decided to hold that celebration on Friday, February 27, 1903, that being the nearest available date for the schools to the actual date of March 1. The committee submitted a complete schedule of exercises for that day, an outline of sufficiently varied nature to suit the different grades of pupils and to cover points of interest in Ohio history from the Mound Builders to the present time. This program in the form of a pamphlet was to be entitled the "Ohio Centennial Syllabus" and was to be sent, as far as possible, to the teachers throughout the state. The plan had the approval of Governor Nash and Hon. L. D. Bonebrake, State Commissioner of Schools, and the co-operation of Hon. O. T. Corson, editor Ohio Educational Monthly. The Joint Centennial Commission unanimously endorsed the project and authorized the committee to proceed with the publication and distribution of the syllabus. Governor Nash, General Keifer, General Brinkerhoff and Mr. Manly was chosen a committee to visit Washington and personally invite President Roosevelt, Senators Foraker and Hanna and Congressman Grosvenor, of Ohio, to be present at the anniversary and make addresses upon the topics assigned them. On January 21, 1903, the committee as chosen, journeyed to Washington and received cordial acceptances from Senators Foraker and Hanna and Congressman Grosvenor. The President expressed great regret that he would, at the time mentioned for the centennial, be on his California tour. On February 23, 1903, the Executive Committee again met and further perfected the proposed program. Most of the speakers invited had accepted, but a few unavoidable declinations remained to be provided for. state. On February 27 the school celebration designated as "Ohio Day" was observed by most of the public schools throughout the Fifteen thousand copies of "The Ohio Centennial Syllabus" had been sent to the teachers including every county of Ohio. The pupils had been instructed and drilled according to the suggestions of the syllabus which made an interesting pamphlet of 65 pages, comprising an introduction by School Commissioner Bonebrake; brief recital of the history and work of the Ohio State Archæological and Historical Society; statement of the committee which prepared the syllabus, setting forth the purpose of the school celebration; the origin of the plan and steps taken to carry it out. The material chosen for this booklet was carefully selected by the committee from leading histories, volumes of poems, standard works of literature, publications of the Ohio Archæological and Historical Society, etc.; the syllabus also contained a valuable list of reference books pertinent to Ohio history. The publication was issued in an attractive form with an artistic cover upon which was printed in colors the national flag. The demand for this booklet far exceeded the ability of the committee to supply it. By means of this syllabus, hundreds of thousands of the pupils in the Ohio schools celebrated with song and recitation and patriotic exercises, the hundredth birthday of the Buckeye state, "Ohio, firstborn of the great Northwest." It was the most inspiring, educational and influential feature of the centennial proceedings as inaugurated by the State Archæological and Historical Society. Probably in no part of the country at any time. has so complete a program of a state event been so universally observed by the public school children. The results of the Ohio Day will certainly be inestimable, for the proceedings not only added vastly to the information and interest of the rising generation in the career of their own state, but it was an impressive and significant occasion to the youthful participants, and well calculated to stimulate and strengthen their study of the growth and achievements not merely of Ohio, but the American Republic. The Joint Centennial Commission held its third meeting on March 6, 1903, in consultation with a committee from Chillicothe, consisting of Mayor W. D. Yaple, General S. H. Hurst, Mr. D. H. Roche and Mr. W. H. Brimson. The work of the commission and the local Chillcothe committee thus far accomplished, was reviewed and further details of the centennial were mutually and harmoniously agreed upon. Early in April, the Secretary of the Commission, according to the authority vested in him, sent out some seven thousand of the engraved invitations to the Centennial. These invitations were issued to: Members of the Ohio General Assembly; all the newspapers in Ohio; presidents of all colleges and universities; hundreds of superintendents and teachers of public schools; offi |