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 Intrepid
The USS Intrepid first served as a Museum Exhibit as part of our nation’s Bicentennial celebration before officially opening in 1982.
Bicentennial Chex
Must have for the Bicentennial or any 4th of July gathering - Chex Patio Mix!
Bicentennial Times July’75
President Ford’s letter signaling the Countdown to the Bicentennial headlines the front page of the July 1975 edition of the Bicentennial Times.
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.
A Week of Bicentennial Minutes
From the National Archives, CBS’s schedule of Bicentennial Minutes for the week leading up to July 4th, 1976. Cool letterhead.
Bicentennial Burger
In honor of National Burger Day, a Bicentennial ad from our friends at Burger King.
Bicentennial Rock
In honor of Memorial Day - a special Bicentennial issue of DC Comic’s Our Army at War.
Bicentennial British Airways 2
These print ads might be my new favorite Bicentennial memorabilia.
Bicentennial British Airways
Can’t say the Brits aren’t good sports. Sign me up for this trip.
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.
Bicentennial Transit
On July 4, 1976, the New York City Transit Exhibit was opened in a decommissioned underground Brooklyn subway station as part of the United States Bicentennial celebration, charging a fee of one subway token for admittance. Old subway cars which had been preserved, as well as models and other exhibits were displayed. Originally the exhibit was to remain open only through the summer, however it proved to be so popular that it remained open and eventually became a permanent museum. In a lesser known fact, the New York Transit Museum was my absolute favorite elementary school field trip, narrowly edging out both the Circle Line and the Bronx Zoo.
Bicentennial Minute July 22, 1976
From this week in 1976 - Will Rogers Jr. speaks of Congress beginning to debate the Articles of Confederation. What they expected to take days, took five years. “We’d all learn that proclaiming a union of states was one thing, but making it work, that was something else.” Pretty sure we’re still working on it.
Bicentennial Beer Calendars
If you were lucky enough to start 1976 with the Pabst Blue Ribbon, Falls City, or Stroh’s calendar hanging on your kitchen wall, you knew the Bicentennial would be an amazing year.
Bicentennial Milkshakes
Not to be unpatriotic; but Bicentennial or not, I’m still picking chocolate.