The Society's Birthday Party and many of its leading citizens—books that have been acclaimed as authoritative. You have influenced public opinion for the better through editorials, delightfully written, which have been published in the daily press. And now you are undertaking an unique innovation for the collection of historical data, The Oral History Project of Columbia University, in which you propose preserving the reminiscences of distinguished Americans of today in permanent form through tape recordings for the use of future historians. It is indeed an honor, Professor Nevins, to add your name to the list of those of the distinguished men who have preceded you in receiving this award for Achievement in History. Professor Nevins received the Medal from President Beekman's hands with expressions of the high esteem in which he held our ancient and useful institution and, being introduced as the principal speaker of the afternoon, delivered the brilliant address on "The Golden Thread in the History of New York" which heads this issue of our Quarterly. When the applause of the enchanted listeners had subsided, Dr. Kimball closed the formalities of our celebration with the proud announcement of the publication on this day of Knickerbocker Birthday: A Sesqui-Centennial History of The New- York Historical Society 1804.-1954 by R. W. G. Vail, Director of the Society. He mentioned the book's 567 charmingly informative pages, its 180 attractive illustrations, its handsome binding and format—all for $6.00—a fitting monument to the Society's hundred and fifty useful years. Then, reminding his hearers that a handsome bronze medal which had been designed and struck to commemorate our Sesqui-Centennial could be purchased at the Reception Desk and that refreshments awaited them in the north rotunda, he stepped aside for Reverend Dr. Romig who pronounced the Benediction. Members and guests remained standing while a string quartette of the Juilliard School of Music played the National Anthem, then adjourned to the rotunda for refreshments and happy conversation. Charles E. Baker 95