America's Bicentennial, July 4, 1976: Where were you?

July 4, 2015 | Shameless Vanity

[PROCON]

Today, America celebrates it's 239th birthday, but do you remember our Bicentennial celebration, July 4, 1976?

Come on you older FReepers, and you know who you are.

Where were you and what did you do that day, 39 years ago.

[Citizen Soldier]

I was at an Earth, Wind and Fire concert outdoors in Portsmouth, VA

[Shery]

We were in Siloam Springs, Ar. My husband was back from the Coast Guard (military service) finishing his BA at John Brown U. I entered a local writing contest about America and won 2nd place. We were far away from our families, but got together with some college friends, then took the kids to the fireworks display.

[Gefn]

I think I was 12 - I was going into 8th grade.

Mom and some other neighbors had a big BBQ picnic in our backyards that afternoon, everyone’s moms had different food and several dads were on the BBQ. It was like a suburban block party.

That night I recall watching that on TV. Did they have music conducted by John Williams or am I mistaken?

I do remember how pretty the tall ships looked against the NY skyline.

[Tax-chick]

I don’t know about John Williams, but there’s always a big orchestra concert in D.C. My parents went to several when they lived there in the 1990s.

[ConorMacNessa]

Good afternoon, Army-Bro! I was visiting my in-laws in Bellair Beach, FL. They had a house on the Intracoastal where we got a great view of the fireworks both in Clearwater and St. Pete. Had a great meal of some seatrout I caught off the seawall.

"I am an American fighting man. I serve in the forces guarding our country and our way of life.
I am prepared to give my life in their defense."

[blueunicorn6]

I was drinking beer in a bunkhouse in Montana.

[17th Miss Regt]

I remember the First Annual Brigade picnic for the 1st Brigade, Third Armored Division. President Ford visited. I was not allowed in my barracks room because it overlooked the parade ground where Ford was walking about. It was also the Last Annual Brigade picnic. (We had to wait until he left to start guzzling beer in our quarters.)

[left that other site]

I was on the Esplanade in Boston, with my beloved Dad, Brothers and Sister, and 500,000 other people enjoying Arthur Fiedler’s First Ever July 4th Extravaganza. Back in the day, they would do the entire 1812 Overture, Stars and Stripes Forever, and other terrific Classical pieces.

[PROCON]

Back in the day, they would do the entire 1812 Overture, Stars and Stripes Forever, and other terrific Classical pieces.

Now that's classical music I enjoy.

You sound like Publius :-)

[uscga77]

I was a first class Coast Guard academy cadet sailing up the Hudson River on the tall ship Eagle. We had Charles Kerrault on board. Our time in New York was one big celebration! People even asked for our autographs.

[easternsky]

Went to Church with Wife and Daughters, It had been 8 years since my return from VN, the country had settled down some. Let my Daughters know I was Proud to have been there and do my part. The next Veterans day they marched in a parade carrying signs that said, MY DAD IS A VIET NAM VET AND PROUD OF IT. I was working and the Wife said all the other Vets were Korean and World War ll. That started their lives as advocates for Veterans to this day.

[daler]

I was in South Dakota, making plans to attend the Republican national convention in Kansas City that year.

I watched Kemper Arena erupt in a 20-minute-plus demonstration when Reagan's name was placed in nomination.

What a thrill that was.

[daler]

I was in South Dakota, making plans to attend the Republican national convention in Kansas City that year.

I watched Kemper Arena erupt in a 20-minute-plus demonstration when Reagan's name was placed in nomination.

What a thrill that was.

[smokingfrog]

Is the tall ship in front of the World Trade Center the Amerigo Vespucci?

[TangibleDisgust]

i was not quite 9. i don't recall that particular Independence Day, but do recall the tall ships TV coverage that summer and the year long bicentennial celebrations. do you remember they painted all of the fire hydrants? i do. we had one at the corner of our property and i used to have to mow around it. i wish i had a photo of it, but i don't. in all likelihood on that July 4th, we were probably at the horse ranch with the horses, followed by an afternoon cookout, and then a trip to Columbia to see the fireworks over Lake Kittamaqundi.

here's an example of a painted fire hydrant i found online.

1976 was a much nicer time in this country. i know there was strife, but i was too young to know much about it. it was quieter to me. the pace of life seemed slower. fewer distractions like smartphones and computers and 200 channels on the TV. people went outside more and "did" things instead of sitting around and watching others "do" things on TV. we were more heterogeneous. the cultural marxists had not yet had much success destroying this country back then. i miss it.

[VanDeKoik]

I was 2 years from birth. :0p

[Drawsing]

I was 19 yrs old and I was with a group of my brother’s Navy friends in the middle of Washington DC watching the fireworks show. I was attending USMC platoon leaders class in Quantico and this was the one weekend they let us go.

[21twelve]

https://www.uwgb.edu/dutchs/WTC1976/WTC002.htm

I found the above site with some snapshots from the Trade Tower (similar story to me - the people knew someone and got tickets to the building).

I think you are right - that is the Italian tall ship Amerigo Vespuchi. Good eye.

He has some nice photos of the Eagle as well. I recall the Christian Radich was a family favorite because of our Norwegian ancestry. Now that I think of it - that was one that we got close up to. I suppose my dad tried to yell up something in Norwegian (he was fluent), but I don’t recall.

Fun memories!

[ex91B10]

S Korea-3/81 FA 8th Army

[left that other site]

That’s a compliment! :-)