Western Expansion & Reform (1829-1859) Thomas Edison's film crew captured the extravagant "Dewey Day Doings" in 1899 RealVideo (streaming) MPEG Format (27.9 MB) Help With Video Credits Commodore George Dewey Was Born December 26, 1837 With parades on water and land, Dewey fans celebrated with wild enthusiasm when he made his triumphant homecoming in 1899. How do you describe your hero? In one flowery tribute at a reception put on for Admiral and Mrs. Dewey, an admirer declared, "From out of the din and smoke of battle there arose a colossal figure, calm and majestic, cool and self-reliant . . . a naval hero, the splendor and brilliancy of whose achievement have written on the eternal tablet of fame." The speaker, Josiah T. Settle, also described the New York homecoming as an "unlimited display of loyal affection . . . greater than was ever shown before to any other man." Do you feel this way about your hero? page 3 of 3 Library Of Congress | Legal Notices | Privacy | Site Map | Contact Us VIDEO CREDIT: White, James H., producer. "U.S. Cruiser 'Olympia' Leading Naval Parade/ Thomas A. Edison, Inc.; producer, James H. White." Edison Manufacturing Co. 1899. Early Motion Pictures, 1897-1920, Library of Congress.