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 — as we countdown to the release of Brooklyn ’76, I’ll be adding some wonderful star-spangled, red, white, and blue blasts from the past.
Bicentennial Ornaments 2
Fine assortment of Bicentennial-themed Christmas tree ornaments to choose from in 1976.
Bicentennial Christmas Catalog
There was something for everyone on the pages of the 1976 Sears Christmas Wish Book.
Bicentennial Norelco
Starting in 1976, you knew Christmas time was near the moment Santa sledded over a snowy hill inside a Norelco shaver.
Bicentennial Thanksgiving Day Parade
Another special anniversary was celebrated in 1976 - the 50th annual Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Bicentennial Holiday Film Festival
Two centuries of American exceptionalism culminated in this country’s greatest holiday film tradition, the WOR annual King Kong and Godzilla film festival. Movies only aired on Thanksgiving day 1976 with the broadcast of Mighty Joe Young (at 1 p.m.), King Kong vs. Godzilla (at 3 p.m.), and Son of Kong (at 5 p.m.). Black Friday films were added to the schedule in 1977.
Bicentennial “Yes We Can”
I hope you know who paid Kellogg’s and Casey Kasey royalties for the slogan.
Bicentennial 50th
Shortly after the nation’s 200th, American television viewers were treated to NBC’s golden anniversary.
Bicentennial Reconvening
Bicentennial celebrations kicked off as early as September of 1974 with a reconvening of the First Continental Congress in Philadelphia. At the 2-day celebration, President Ford addressed Governors of the original 13 states, Senators, Congressmen & over 1500 invitees -
But may I offer my own idea on how best to commemorate the Bicentennial. Let us all, during the coming months, study carefully the character, study the qualities of the men who founded this Nation. Let us try to grasp the stuff that was inside of each of them and all of them collectively. And then, let us release, if we can, the same spirit within ourselves. We have the same capacity for unity, discipline, and sacrifice. Let us show the world that the character and quality of the American people has not changed in 200 years.
Bicentennial Sneakers
When searching for a quality, vinyl casual sneaker to celebrate America’s Bicentennial, Sears was the answer. Available in all sizes. Made in Taiwan.
Bicentennial Maude
Bea Arthur as Maude, Rue McClanahan as Vivian and Adrienne Barbeau as Carol sing their take on I am Woman in the Tuckahoe Bicentennial woman only variety show.
Bicentennial Iowa
With the exciting news of The Great American State Fair to be hosted in Iowa for America’s 250th birthday, here’s a look back at how Iowans celebrated the Bicentennial. Looks like we’re in good hands.
Bicentennial Coin Contest
To celebrate the Bicentennial, a contest was held to redesign the tail-side of the quarter, half-dollar, and dollar coin. Above is the 12 semifinalists along with the winning designs below. I’m partial to the first tall ship design.
Bicentennial Tee 2
A sharper version of an earlier post from the actual ad. Here’s the reading comprehensive part of the exam - which t-shirt does Alex wear in Brooklyn ‘76?
Bicentennial Administrator
Much of the success of the American Bicentennial Revolution Administration (ARBA) was attributed to the leadership of John W. Warner III. A veteran of WW2 and Korea, Warner served as Secretary of the Navy from 1972-74 and later as a five-time Senator from VA. He also played the murderer on two episodes of Columbo. Let’s listen to a special message from Administrator Warner.
Bicentennial UK Stamps
Not being one to hold a grudge, the United Kingdom also celebrated the Bicentennial by releasing a series of special stamps in honor of American Independence. Jolly good show old chap.
Bicentennial Train
From April 1, 1975, until December 31, 1976, the American Freedom Train toured 48 contiguous states as part of the Bicentennial celebration. The 26-car train was powered by 3 newly restored steam locomotives. Ten display cars carried more than 500 treasures of Americana, including George Washington’s copy of the Constitution, the original Louisiana Purchase, Judy Garland’s dress from The Wizard of Oz, an original manuscript of “The Battle Hymn of the Republic, and even a moon rock. Over 7 million Americans visited during its tour, with millions more cheering as the train passed through their hometowns. But don’t take my word for it - listen to Johnny Cash.
Bicentennial Cartoon
The animated special, “Days of Liberty” aired in prime time as part of the Bicentennial celebration. Somehow a cartoon about the British occupation of Staten Island did not become an annually recurring holiday favorite like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.
Bicentennial Times 2
Hey, if you don’t want to listen to me about reading the Bicentennial Times, then at least listen to ARBA.
Bicentennial Times
The Bicentennial Times was both a celebration and educational resource, designed to inform, engage, and unify the American public around the events and themes of the nation’s Bicentennial in 1976. At its peak, it was distributed from to over 400,00 readers. Thirty-five issues in total were published between 1974 and 1976.