Forty years ago, the Ruth Green Dancers gave Statesboro a unique moment in the national spotlight when the United States celebrated its 200th birthday. Although 1976 was the bicentennial year, celebrations dedicated to the individual states began the previous year. A team of 11 performers and their dance instructor, Dr. Ruth Green, presented a "History of Statesboro" in dance in Washington, D.C., during the Georgia State Day program on Nov. 7, 1975.