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NOAA: Celebrating 200 Years

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June 1, 2007-August 30, 2007
Location: Bridge Gallery

Through the end of August 2007, at the Bridge Exhibit Area. From Sea to Shining Sea: 200 Years of America's Coast Survey

NOAA's 200th Celebration in 2007 will highlight the rich history of science, service, and stewardship provided to the American public by NOAA and its predecessors. There are many great stories to tell, from the founding of the U.S. Survey of the Coast by Thomas Jefferson to the present-day activities of an agency dedicated to the protection, management, and understanding of our ocean, coasts, and skies.

In 1807, President Thomas Jefferson founded the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey (as the Survey of the Coast) to provide nautical charts to the maritime community for safe passage into American ports and along our extensive coastline. The Weather Bureau was founded 1870 and, one year later, the U.S. Commission of Fish and Fisheries was founded. Individually, these organizations were America's first physical science agency, America's first agency dedicated specifically to the atmospheric sciences, and America's first conservation agency.

The cultures of scientific accuracy and precision, service to protect life and property, and stewardship of resources of these three agencies were brought together in 1970, with the establishment of NOAA, an agency within the Department of Commerce.

Today, in 2007, we celebrate the 200th anniversary of the founding of the Coast and Geodetic Survey, the establishment of which set in motion a 200-year legacy of science, service, and stewardship.

The Celebration:

The 200th anniversary of the Coast and Geodetic Survey is an opportunity for us to honor our heritage by celebrating our innovative and dedicated people, programs, and services. Throughout the year, we will look back and celebrate our past, take stock of where we are in the present, and consider the possibilities that lie in our future. The anniversary is also an opportunity for NOAA to share our story with the American people, linking our past, present, and future contributions to the health and vitality of our nation. [NOAA: Celebrating 200 years. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. http://celebrating200years.noaa.gov/about.html Accessed 5 July 2007.]

An exhibit made up of panels and exhibit items will be on display in the Hamilton Bridge until September 2007.

For more information NOAA: Celebrarting 200 years.


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