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 Trains
One of my favorites - the Lionel Spirit of ‘76 commemorative trains. I picked up the caboose to add to my Christmas set.
Bicentennial Helmet
The Dallas Cowboys added a red stripe to their helmets for the entire 1976 season to honor the nation’s Bicentennial. The helmet would not be worn again for 45 years, but has recently been worn in games to honor servicemen.
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!
Bicentennial Reunion
"I have a friend who loves what you do every year."
Labor Day 1976 - if you're too young to remember, you missed out!
Bicentennial Smokes
This Bicentennial advertisement served as a stark reminder that the long-lasting, full-flavored taste of Saratoga 120’s almost cost us the Revolution.
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 Smoking Paraphernalia
That pack of Kent’s isn’t going to light itself and those L&M butts need a home.
Bicentennial Milkshakes
Not to be unpatriotic; but Bicentennial or not, I’m still picking chocolate.
Bicentennial Decorations
I think it’s safe to say that if the American flag were a star, we would have lost the revolution. Unless, of course, General Washington was leading a rebel army wholly compromised of ninjas, which would have been cool.
Bicentennial Baseball Cards
Here’s the 1976 Topps set featuring several cards that make important cameos in Brooklyn ’76.
Flip him, kid!
Bicentennial Yankees
With Spring Training fully in swing, let’s take a moment to appreciate the 1976 New York Yankees. While the World Series would escape them, 1976 marks the Yankees’ return to the post season for the first time since 1964, the first full season for Billy Martin as manager, and the arrival of several NYY greats—Willie Randolph, and my all-time favorite player, Mickey Rivers! With 1976 under the Yankees’ belts, the rest of MLB didn’t have a chance in 77 & 78!