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 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 Hydrants
During 1976, many towns and cities encouraged their residents to paint fire hydrants in a Bicentennial motif. Who let in the Red coat?
Bicentennial Cinema
Brooklyn dominated September 1976 at the Box Office. The highest grossing movie for the month - Bugsy Malone, starring Brooklyn’s own Scott Baio and John Cassisi; Also starring some girl named Jodie Foster.
