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History of the Order
1874 |
1890 |
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2000
- 1951
 The Knight of Columbus Foundation for the Preservation of Historic Documents at the Vatican Library is formed. The Vatican film Library will be housed at the University of St. Louis. A 15¢ per capita tax on members, over a two year period would provide the $140,000 estimated cost.
- 1952
- Supreme moves to their 6th Headquarters located at Meadow St. The building was purchased from the New Haven Railroad Company at a cost of $500,954. It was triangular in shape running 483' on Union Avenue, 405' on Water Street, and 258' on Meadow St.
- On June 7th the seventh playground located Premavill, Roma was dedicated as the Pope Pius XII Playground. The dedication was attended by ecclesiastical and civic authorities as well as representatives of the Order.
- 1953
- Luke E. Hart is elected the 10th Supreme Knight and would serve in that capacity until 1964.
- On December 17th the Order purchases the land on which Yankee Stadium is located for $2.5 million and leases it back at $182,000 per year for 28 years with three renewable terms of 15 years at $125,000 per year.
- 1954
- The Pledge of Allegiance was amended by congress to include the words "Under God". On June 14th, Flag Day, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed into law the change.
- 1956
- In June of 1956 the Vatican Film Library project was completed. In a little over 4 years, 9.5 million pages on manuscripts were placed on 6,900 rolls of microfilm. The cost of the project was more than double the original estimate of $140,000 at $350,000. The Foundation for the preservation of Historic Documents was dissolved.
- 1957
 Archbishop Patrick O' Boyle, Chancellor of Catholic University and Msgr. Thomas J. Grady, supervisor of the National Shrine presented the Knights with the opportunity to erect the 329 ft Campanile Tower our National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. The Knights agreed to fund $1,000,000 dollar project through $1.25 per capita assessment spread over five years.
- On March 31, the statue of Fr. Michael J. McGivney was unveiled in the city of Waterbury, Ct., his birthplace. It is located near the heart of the city.
- On May 27, Life Magazine features the Visible Arm of the Knights of Columbus. The Fourth Degree Color Corp appears on the cover and an article inside provides information about the Knights of Columbus.
- 1959
- St. Louis University's Pius XII Memorial Library opened on May 18th. The Order contributed $250,000 towards the rooms that would be used for the Knight of Columbus Vatican Film Library and conferences.
- On November 20th 1,000 Fourth Degree Knights participate in the dedication of the Campanile Tower. The plaque inside the tower reads, "The Knights Tower -- Gift of the Knights of Columbus to the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception as a Pledge of the Devotion to Its Members To Our Blessed Lady, Patroness of the United States."
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