Celebrations of shared personal, religious, occupational, and historic events are worldwide and ancient phenomena. In the United States, most people participate, as either major or minor actors or members of the audience, in private events marking the human cycle and life experiences, from birth and birthdays to weddings and anniversaries to death and memorial services. The common element uniting all these activities is the focus on shared group attitudes, experiences and perception, and this element holds as true of public events honoring shared perceptions of a historical past as it does of commemorations of a more personel and private kind. This handbook provides a variety of practical details, suggestions, and models for organizing historical celebrations. Chapter one focuses on organizational considerations, including the choice of a celebration date and theme, formation of necessary steering and subcommittees, planning of time schedules and activities, and the establishment of goals. Fundraising, a difficult and essential item, is the topic of chapter two. Chapter three approaches the heart of the celebration through presentation of short-term and long-term activities that are potential components of commemorative events. Chapter four is devoted to publicity, that aspect of a public event which, along with fundraising, is the most perplexing to organizers. Chapter five is concerned with documenting the celebration. A careful record serves as a precedent for organizing furure events; it becomes a part of the community's historical record, and is an educational tool to extend the celebration into the future. In chapter six, sketches are provided of past community events in the Idaho towns of Rexburg, Wallace, and Jerome. (BZ)