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.
Bicentennial Minute July 4, 1976
Text and correspondence for Betty Ford’s Bicentennial Minute on July 4, 1976.
Bicentennial Rock #8
“Fireworks,” the eighth installment of America Rocks premiered on July 3rd, 1976.
Bicentennial Minute January 8, 1976
A Bicentennial Minute minute from January 8th, 1976 featuring actor/director Lawrence Luckinbill who some may remember as Sybok, Spock’s half-brother from Star Trek V. He’s also married to Lucy Arnaz.
Bicentennial Human Fly
On June 19, 1976, stuntman "The Human Fly," performed a legendary aviation stunt by riding strapped to the roof of a Douglas DC-8 passenger jet over the Mojave desert. The stunt inspired Marvel Comics to launch a comic book series about him in 1977, marketing him as "The wildest super-hero ever – because he's REAL!"
Bicentennial Blue Bonnet
In 1976, what did America want now? Blue Bonnet spread, of course.
America Rocks #7
“Elbow Room,” the seventh installment of America Rocks premiered on May 8th, 1976.
Bicentennial Thor
From the Marvel Comics Commemorative 1976-2026 calendar - Ben Franklin’s ego prevented the Mighty Thor from receiving proper recognition for his invaluable contribution to the Founding Father’s scientific research.
Bicentennial Wrestlemania
In honor of Wrestlemania weekend, the official professional wrestling ratings from April 1976.
America Rocks #6
"The Great American Melting Pot" was the sixth America Rocks video, premiering April 17, 1976.
Bicentennial Rock #4
"Sufferin' til Suffrage" was the fourth America Rocks video, premiering Feb. 21, 1976.
Bicentennial Rocks #3
“The Preamble” was the third of the America Rock/SchoolHouse Rock videos to celebrate the Bicentennial.
Bicentennial Rocks #1
“No More Kings” was the first of the America Rock/SchoolHouse Rock videos to premiere in late 1975 to celebrate the Bicentennial.
Bicentennial Kodak
1976 was the first Christmas with Kodak instant cameras. Can you feel a brand new day?
Bicentennial Burger King
Not to be left in the cold - America’s Burger King had their own gift certificates available in 1976. And yes, America does love Christmas.