1975: "John Hancock Never Sold Insurance"

The People’s Bicentennial Commission (PBC) was a political organization that formed in the years leading up to the United States Bicentennial in 1976. They were anti-corporation, anti-nuke, and anti-war, and advocated for economic democracy. Through their actions, they hoped to provoke questions: What is freedom? Who is free? Are we truly free in a world threatened by war and violence? How do we understand the values of the American Revolution today?

Inspired by Paul Revere’s midnight ride, the PBC arrived in Concord in the early hours of April 19. They set up stages on Buttrick’s Hill and held performances—including Pete Seeger, Arlo Guthrie, and the Persuasions— and speeches. By the morning, roughly 20,000 protestors were in attendance. Signs bore slogans like “Economic democracy” and “John Hancock never sold insurance.”

There was significant contingency planning and controversy in anticipation of the group, but no violence occurred. The PBC’s primary goal was to draw attention to social and economic inequality, which they felt were hypocritical to ignore in a celebration meant to salute the values of the American Revolution.