My Bicentennial Memories

I’m not sure I believe in fate, but there must be a reason why I could never bring myself to throw out my Ross Bicentennial bicycle. My parents, despite complaining about its prolonged residence in the cellar of 1710 78th street, could never bring themselves to roll the bike out with Tuesday trash (something they had no issue doing with all my other toys and preciouses). Maybe I or they knew the Bicentennial would be something I’d one day revisit. Or maybe we all knew, as long as the bike remained, so would those wonderful hazy summer day memories of years past.

Keep checking back, I’ll be adding some wonderful star-spangled, red, white, and blue blasts from the past as we countdown to America 250.

Anthony Ausiello 11/15/25 Anthony Ausiello 11/15/25

Bicentennial Battle

Battle of the Network Stars premiered this week in 1976. It became an annual competition in which television stars from ABC, CBS and NBC would compete in various sporting events. A total of 19 of these competitions were held between 1976 and 1988 proving many…ahem….memorable moments.

Anthony Ausiello 10/29/25 Anthony Ausiello 10/29/25

Bicentennial Lynde

On October 29, 1976, The Paul Lynde Halloween Special aired for the first and only time. was a "fabulous train wreck" of a 1970s variety show that threw together disco, comedy sketches, and a baffling cast of celebrities, including:

The Wicked Witch of the West
Witchiepoo from H.R. Pufnstuf
Mrs. Brady herself, Florence Henderson
And the rock band KISS, whom Lynde clearly had no idea how to introduce.

Anthony Ausiello 10/18/25 Anthony Ausiello 10/18/25

Bicentennial Necktie

In honor of National Necktie Day - this handsome Bicentennial necktie fashionable no matter the year or occasion.

Anthony Ausiello 7/20/25 Anthony Ausiello 7/20/25

Bicentennial Ice Cream 2

Happy National Ice Cream Day. I’ll have a scoop of Yankee Doodle Double Fudge Marble please.

Anthony Ausiello 7/5/25 Anthony Ausiello 7/5/25

Bicentennial Denver

And now a special Bicentennial message from John Denver.

Anthony Ausiello 7/3/25 Anthony Ausiello 7/3/25

Bicentennial Chex

Must have for the Bicentennial or any 4th of July gathering - Chex Patio Mix!

Anthony Ausiello 7/1/25 Anthony Ausiello 7/1/25

Bicentennial Countdown

As soon as the calendar turned to July 1975, the Bicentennial countdown kicked into full gear. While I have the original, this is from the special Marvel 50th anniversary reproduction of its 1975 calendar.

Anthony Ausiello 6/27/25 Anthony Ausiello 6/27/25

Bicentennial Budweiser

A special Bicentennial message from Budweiser.

And remember - when you say Budweiser, you’ve said it all.

Anthony Ausiello 6/6/25 Anthony Ausiello 6/6/25

Bicentennial Parade Anniversary

Premiering June 6th, 1975, Disney’s America On Parade celebrated the Bicentennial up until September of ‘76.

Anthony Ausiello 5/28/25 Anthony Ausiello 5/28/25

Bicentennial Burger

In honor of National Burger Day, a Bicentennial ad from our friends at Burger King.

Anthony Ausiello 5/24/25 Anthony Ausiello 5/24/25

Bicentennial Rock

In honor of Memorial Day - a special Bicentennial issue of DC Comic’s Our Army at War.

Anthony Ausiello 5/17/25 Anthony Ausiello 5/17/25

Bicentennial British Airways 2

These print ads might be my new favorite Bicentennial memorabilia.

Anthony Ausiello 5/16/25 Anthony Ausiello 5/16/25

Bicentennial British Airways

Can’t say the Brits aren’t good sports. Sign me up for this trip.

Anthony Ausiello 5/10/25 Anthony Ausiello 5/10/25

Bicentennial Tin

Looking for the perfect Mother’s Day gift in 1976? Try this lovely Betsy Ross Bicentennial cookie tin - 1.25 lbs. of sugary and vegetable shortening goodness.