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.
December 31, 1976
The final Bicentennial Minute is delivered by President Ford on New Year’s Eve, 1976.
December 20, 1976
Welsh writer, dramatist, and actor, Emyln Williams, with his Bicentennial minute.
Christmas Kong
Now this is how you cap off a Bicentennial celebration! Released on this date in 1976.
Bicentennial Ornaments 2
Fine assortment of Bicentennial-themed Christmas tree ornaments to choose from in 1976.
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 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 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
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.
Bicentennial Hope
I know who my family tuned into watch on Bicentennial night. Texaco never failed to deliver a star-studded lineup.
Bicentennial Mascot
Arba the eagle, made by Patchwork Puppet Productions, was commissioned to be the official Bicentennial mascot and perform public service announcements.
Bicentennial Calendar
The official national calendar of Bicentennial events for September 1974, courtesy of the Bicentennial Times.
Bicentennial Bell
The Bicentennial Bell was gifted by the United Kingdom to the U.S. and presented by Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip on July 6, 1976. The bell was cast at the Whitechapel Foundry in London, the same foundry that cast the Liberty Bell. After sitting in storage for over a decade, the Bicentennial Bell found a new home this past summer in Benjamin Rush Garden in Philadelphia.
Bicentennial Muppets
The Muppet Show premiered in the U.S. on September 20th, 1976. The show had premiered two weeks earlier in the U.K. where the Joel Grey hosted episode was shown first. In it, Grey gives perhaps his best performance of "Willkommen."
Bicentennial Television
Whether it was prime time or Saturday morning, September 1976 featured the premiere of some classic television shows. Nothing like a double-dip of the legendary Fred Grandy!