Archive photograph

[Photograph 2012.201.OVZ001.10626]

Photograph used for a story in the Daily Oklahoman newspaper. Caption: "Flaiming Indian arrows sailed into the night, the band played the National Anthem and Cov. Gary and two movie actors flipped a switch on the "Arrows to Atoms" symbol Monday night to officiallt open Oklahoma's seven-month birthday celebration. The ceremonies took place under rain clouds at the Oklahoma City fairgrounds, NW 10 and May, as 1,500 persons gathered to usher in the semi-centennial celebration. Highlight of the event came when Gov. Gary and actors John howard and Joel McCrea flipped the switch on the 200-foot, red and white blending of the Indian and atomic energy theme-the "Arrowsto Atoms" insigna-located in the central plaza of the exposition grounds. The symbol will serve as a heacon for the Oklahoma Semi-Centennial exposition June 14 ro July 7 and will burn throughout the observance period......Dean A. McGee, exposition president, told the gathering that Oklahoma was reaching an "important milepost" with its semi-centennial celebration. He told the audience that the "Arrows to Atoms" emblem was the tallest structure ever built at an exposition in the United States."