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.
April 26, 1976
In his Bicentennial minute, actor Darren McGavin cautions that Democracy is FRA-GEE-LAY.
Bicentennial T-Shirts
What was America talkin’ about in 1976? These cool Bicentennial t-shirts. Don’t just take my word for it. Ask Willis…I mean Todd Bridges, pictured on right.
Bicentennial Glasses
These tumblers originally held A & P Ann Page peanut butter, a brand I have no recollection of whatsoever—we were a Pantry Pride family.
March 18, 1976
Great character actor, Val Avery, with his Bicentennial minute from March 8, 1976.
The Bicentennial Lunchbox
I confess to rocking a Marvel Super Heroes lunch box in ’76, but I distinctly remember admiring this beauty from across the cafeteria.
America Rock
The third season of Schoolhouse Rock! premiered in the fall of 1975 and sparked the Bicentennial spirit with America Rock. Sure, everyone talks about “I’m Just a Bill” but “Mother Necessity” is the deep cut true patriotic-parody music lovers hold dearest in their hearts.
January 22, 1976
Actor, Gary Lockwood, with his Bicentennial minute from January 22, 1976.
Bicentennial Buttons
People don’t wear enough buttons these days. At least not cool ones like these.
Bee Centennial Minute
One of my favorite Bicentennial Minute parodies - Garret Morris with a Bee Centennial Minute from the November 15, 1975 SNL.
Bicentennial Quarters
The most ubiquitous of all Bicentennial ephemera. Most of mine were spent on comic books.
Bicentennial Logo
Created by Bruce Blackburn who also designed a logo for NASA in the 1970s.
Hysterical History
Topps contribution to Bicentennial-mania. Essentially, wacky packages for history buffs, a too-long ignored audience.
Daily News
Fresh from the crook of Paulie’s armpit. Picks for the late daily double at Aqueduct scribbled in the margins. Bet if you dare.
The Ross Bicentennial
In my humble opinion, the Holy Grail of Bicentennial ephemera. Lucky was the child, like the handsome lad pictured here, who fearlessly roamed the sidewalks atop their Ross Bicentennial commemorative bicycle. Training wheels not included.