50 Years Ago - The Bicentennial!

Since it is July 4, 2026, I thought it might be an opportune to remember America's Bicentennial celebration of 1976....50 years ago

I remember the occasion, five decades ago, well.  I was six years old, and the Bicentennial -- the 200th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence -- was all the craze, all over the country. I was in Kindergarten at the time, and much of our class work was geared towards the Bicentennial and remembering the beginnings of our country.

At the time, Gerald Ford -- an unelected President, ironically -- was Commander-in-Chief, and he spoke meaningfully in Philadelphia, on the occasion, about the aspirations of the first Americans.  He tallied them as personal freedom, self-government, and national unity.

I also remember that my family participated in a costume contest and parade for the Bicentennial at Forest Avenue Primary School in Glen Ridge, the town where I lived.  You can see us all in the photo from that occasion, above.  I'm the little guy up front.  My mother sewed all the costumes from scratch.

Today we usually see costumes such as these worn only by protesters, but during the Bicentennial madness of 1976, tri-corn hats hadn't yet been appropriated by any political movement. They were for everyone who wanted to celebrate the 200th anniversary of our belovednation.

Actually, the Bicentennial was celebrated in all kinds of ways back in 1976. There were Bicentennial coins (quarters, I believe...) a Bicentennial lottery (in my home state of New Jersey) and even Super Bowl X got into the act with players from the Steelers and Cowboys wearing Bicentennial patches. There were Bicentennial TV commercials, and more.

Honestly, I can't believe that this was fifty years ago. Sometimes I can remember it all so clearly.  

I will be 106 if I live to see America's Tricentennial...but I'm eating right and exercising in hopes of making the date. 

I hope I'll see you there!