In honor of grand ole Mississippi’s 200th birthday, students from the surrounding areas attended a Bicentennial Celebration on Monday. The event, hosted by the Columbus Convention & Visitor Bureau, took place at Trotter Convention Center and featured a thought-provoking exhibit presented by the Mississippi Department of Archives and History.

“I think it was valuable for students to see how local agencies and state agencies work together to make our cultural life richer. I’m glad the students got to experience that,” commented MSMS teacher Chuck Yarborough.

Mississippi was admitted as the 20th state on December 10, 1817 after the United States Congress approved the Mississippi Constitution. The students were able to attain knowledge on the foundations in which our state developed and lay eyes on two priceless artifacts: the original copy of Mississippi’s 1817 Constitution and a rare 20-star United States flag.

The woven papers of the constitution inside the leather-covered volume was displayed at the program for students to come by and learn interesting facts about its history and methods of preservation. Along with this item, the handmade 20-star U.S. flag was also available for viewing, its uniqueness understood by the fact that a 20-star flag was in effect for only one year.

Describing his favorite part of the exhibit, Junior Chance Greenlee said, “The flag was really cool. It was well preserved under controlled temperatures and we could see the reinforcements made to it.”

MSMS students experience Mississippi’s 200th birthday at Trotter Convention Center (Mariat Thankachan)