The bicentennial of Andrew Johnson's birth will be December 29, 2008. The community-wide celebration will take place throughout the entire calendar year of 2008.

Planned events include:

 Tennessee Johnson
May 16, 2008
Remember Friday night at the movies...in 1943? You can reflect on those golden days on May 16, 2008 as the 1943 film "Tennessee Johnson," starring Van Heflin, Ruth Hussey, and Lionel Barrymore appears for one evening at 7:00 p.m. at the Capitol Theatre in downtown Greeneville, TN. Join young and old for some popcorn, a movie, and commentary by Dr. Robert Orr. Sponsored by the Museums of Tusculum College and the Nathanael Greene Museum. Film donated to the archives of Tusculum College by Turner Classic Movies. Admission is free.

Civil War Living History Demonstration
May 17, 2008
June 21, 2008 July 26, 2008
Civil War reenactors will provide living history demonstrations on the grounds of the Andrew Johnson Homestead.

Memorial Day Service
May 30, 2008
Celebrated on the traditional Memorial Day, this solemn and impressive ceremony in the National Cemetery pays tribute to America's veterans.

Andrew Johnson Day 
Greeneville Astros Stadium
July 31, 2008
The Greeneville Astros will join the community in celebrating the life of Andrew Johnson. Bobble heads of the former president will be given to the first 1000 fans through the gates.

Gates open at 6:00 p.m.
Game time 7:00 p.m.

Emancipation Day Celebration of Stories
August 8, 2008
Emancipation Day Celebration of Stories, Master Storyteller, Chetter Galloway presents "Free at Last: Now Let Me Fly!" at the Boy's and Girls Club, Greeneville, TN

Presentation begins at 2:00 p.m.

"Andrew Johnson: Heritage, Legacy, and Our Constitution"
September 17, 2008
This event, beginning with an evening of period and patriotic music, a visual presentation of Johnson's life, and family activities, will celebrate the 221st anniversary of the U.S. Constitution and the
Bicentennial of Andrew Johnson.
September 18, 2008
A symposium will be held featuring Dr. Eric Foner, Dr. Paul Bergeron, Dr. Robert Orr, and Dr. Michael Curtis, with a panel discussion moderated by Mr. Oliver Thomas. The focus of the presentations and discussion is the life and times of Andrew Johnson, the role he played in shaping American history, and the Constitutional amendments during Reconstruction - their past and present effect.

For more information call 423-636-7348 or write gcollins@tusculum.edu or Museums of Tusculum College, Box 5026, Greeneville, TN 37743

Battle of Blue Springs
October 10-12, 2008
Reenactors will bring the Battle of Blue Springs to life. There will be living history demonstrations and an education day for students.

For more information visit http://www.battleofbluesprings.com/

Raleigh's Own President: Andrew Johnson's Life in North Carolina Exhibit
November 21, 2008 - January 16, 2009
Born in Raleigh in 1808, few would have guessed from Andrew Johnson's less than privileged upbringing that he would go on to become the 17th President of the United States. Too poor to attend school, Johnson was apprenticed at age ten to work for James J. Selby, a local tailor. In that shop, he learned two skills that would change his path in life; how to perform the tailor's craft and how to read. Discover Johnson's roots in North Carolina, his tumultuous presidency, and his historic impeachment trial in commemoration of his 200th birthday. This exhibit will be on display on the second floor rotunda of the North Carolina State Capitol.

For more information please call the Capitol at 919-733-4994 or visit www.ncstatecapitol.org. Admission is free.

Andrew Johnson Lecture
December 1, 2008
Jefferson Davis and Andrew Johnson were born in 1808. At noon on December 1, 2008, Dan Carter of the University of South Carolina will lecture to commemorate Johnson, a Raleigh native, in the House Chamber of the North Carolina State Capitol. 

For more information, please call
the Capitol at 919-733-4994 or visit www.ncstatecapitol.org.
Admission is free.

Wreaths Across America Program
December 13, 2008
An impressive and solemn ceremony will be held in the Andrew Johnson National Cemetery to honor our past veterans.

For more information contact 423-639-3711.

Program begins at 12:00 noon.

Presidential Wreath Laying and Birthday Celebration
December 29, 2008
Each year the current President sends a wreath to be laid at the grave of his deceased predecessors on their birthday. Later in the evening, luminaries will light the pathways of the National Cemetery.

Power Point Presentation
Ongoing
An Andrew Johnson PowerPoint Presentation is available for Groups meeting throughout East Tennessee and Southwest Virginia.The Andrew Johnson Bicentennial Celebration Steering Committee offers a 20 minute PowerPoint Presentation reviewing highlights of Andrew Johnson’s life and features opportunities for your members to participate in the Bicentennial Celebration in Greeneville.

Contact: Carlos Whaley, Co-Chair, 423-620-7483, or email cwhaleysr@msn.com to schedule the presentation for your group.

A site logo has been created and approved. For more information on how to apply for use of the logo, see our endorsement page.

Return to this page throughout the 2008 Bicentennial year for updates on activities.

Events that have already taken place include:

Wreath Laying Ceremony and
Kickoff Birthday Celebration
December 29, 2007
The annual wreath laying ceremony at the grave of President Johnson was held at the Andrew Johnson National Cemetery at 1:30 p.m. A birthday party following the wreath laying was held at the
Nathanael Greene Museum.
The event celebrated Andrew Johnson's birth and initiated the 2008 Bicentennial year. 

"Partisan Politics in East Tennessee on the Eve of the Civil War."
January 24, 2008
A presentation by Dr. Michael Toomey. 
Dr. Toomey is Managing Editor, The Journal of East Tennessee History, and an Adjunct Professor of History at Lincoln Memorial University. 

"Underground Railroad: The Network to Freedom"
February 22, 2008
Barbara Tagger, Program Manager, Southeast Region, National Park Service.

6:30 p.m., Friendship Baptist Church
423-639-3711

"Governor Johnson and the Gunboat Navy: Logistics, Morgan, and Johnsonville."
March 18, 2008

A presentation by Mr. Myron "Jack" Smith, Jr., author of LeRoy Fitch: The Civil War Career of a Union River Gunboat Commander. Mr. Smith is Professor of Library Science and History at Tusculum College. He is the author of 76 volumes of bibliography and history.

7:00 pm, Niswonger Commons - Chalmers Conference Center - Tusculum College.

Confederates Occupy Greeneville!
April 19, 2008
East Tennessee will have an opportunity to embrace the rich heritage of our region as Confederate troops take over Greeneville on April 19, 2008. The Town of Greeneville changed hands more than 30 times during the Civil War and area reenactors will bring that era to life during this celebration of Andrew Johnson's 200th birthday!

Emancipation Day - August 8^th Conference
April 25-27, 2008       
The African American Task Force Coalition of East TN invites you to attend their second conference to recognize an historic celebration. The conference will be held April 25-27, 2008 in Greeneville, TN.  On August 8, 1863, future President Andrew Johnson freed his personal slaves. Years later, the date was chosen to celebrate the emancipation of African Americans throughout Tennessee. While the celebration has faded into memory in many communities, others continue to recognize this special day, much like Juneteenth in other parts of the country.  

Organization of American Historians
May 2-4, 2008
During the week of May 1, 2008 a group of three scholars, hosted by the National Park Service in cooperation with the Organization of American Historians, will be visiting the Andrew Johnson National Historic Site to reflect on new scholarly perspectives that are related to Andrew Johnson's life and times.

See the News Release or visit the Organization of American Historians website.