The story of America is the story of many people who settled a new land, helped it grow, and fought to keep it free. Some of these people are well known to everyone--heroes like Washington and Lincoln whose monuments overlook this Festival. Others, who developed the homely skills that we celebrate here, will forever be anonymous. All were guided by the same beliefs: that each person is entitled to pursue the lifestyle of his choice.

The Festival of American Folklife is an expression of these beliefs that we are different in many ways, but we are still one nation, one people whose individual differences have helped shape a great nation.

The ...