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 Flag
On June 28th, 1976, The Great American Flag - the largest flag ever made at the time, measuring 193 feet by 366.5 feet - was unrolled across the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge for a test run prior to the Bicentennial. After just a few hours it was unfortunately ripped to shreds by wind. As one Bridge and Tunnel engineer put it, “The stars are still up, but the stripes are down.”
Bicentennial Debut
On July 14, 1976, nearly two centuries of the American experiment culminates in the debut of the Gong Show.
Bicentennial Cinema—June
Here are just some of the films released in June of 1976. I’d put up a picture of the 6 top grossing movies from last weekend for comparison, but it would just be depressing.
Bicentennial Bill
In 1976 the $2 bill was reissued after a decade's absence. To celebrate the Bicentennial, the image on the back of the bill was changed from a depiction of Jefferson’s home, Monticello, to the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
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 Brooklyn Sign
One of my favorites— the Bicentennial edition of the iconic “Welcome to Brooklyn” sign made famous worldwide during the opening credits of Welcome Back, Kotter. If you’re wondering how the sign can look both accurate and brand new—it’s because this is one of the amazing replicas made by Jack Giambanco at majorminis.com. Check out his online store. These amazing replicas can help you relive many neighborhood memories, and if you weren’t so fortunate, help you make believe that you grew up in Brooklyn too!
Bicentennial Radio 2
Yet another special edition Bicentennial radio. Except this one is ALL transistor and still works!
Bicentennial Rifle
Sadly all I have to pass on is a wooden spoon my mother once used in ‘76 to chase me and my brother to bed.
Bicentennial Beer
The giants of the beer industry stepped up their game for the Bicentennial.
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 TP
In 1976, you literally could not wipe your ass without being reminded the country was celebrating its Bicentennial.
Bicentennial Pin
Here one for the Chicago family—the official Bicentennial lapel pin of Chicago.
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 Tractor
For many American males in 1976, the feminine ideal was best represented by Betty Ross riding the Bicentennial Cub Cadet tractor.
Bicentennial Cars
There were several Bicentennial special edition autos produced, but in my humble opinion, the 1976 Dodge Dart “Spirit of ‘76” special edition was the coolest. Mostly because it looked like my bike. Love how the pinstripes end in an eagle’s head.
Bicentennial Godzilla
Not even Godzilla was immune to Bicentennial fever! A “Godzilla for President” promotion was run in tandem with the U.S. release of Godzilla vs Megalon in the summer of ’76. I can say wholeheartedly that the big guy would have had my vote if I was of age.
FUN FACT: My father took me to see Godzilla vs Megalon—which was running at the top of a double-feature bill with a film titled, “Bug,” about mutant cockroaches that could start fires.
FUNNER FACT: (mostly to folks from Brooklyn) We saw the double feature at The De-Luxe Theatre, which soon played host to an entirely different kind of double features.
Bicentennial Pinball
When you combine the Bicentennial with 1970s Pinball fever you get this beauty. I’m still partial to the Fonz Pinball machine, but that wasn’t released until ‘77.