America's Bicentennial - July 4, 1976 - ABC Coverage, pt. 1!

[@Jude1068]

I was 7 years old on July 4th 1976 and remember it very well. I was at my Grandparent's house in the Chicago area and we had a cake with red white and blue icing to celebrate the Bicentennial. I still have the Bicentennial coin set given to me by my Grandma. I remember I used to wear a t shirt with the Bicentennial logo in 1976. I was also Paul Revere in our Bicentennial play in 2nd grade. Great memories!

[@mesocorny4366]

The 70s were a difficult time in the us (the current decade has interesting parallels). As someone who wsnt around then just yet, I like to give thanks to the American ppl for the way they conducted themselves and showing jubilant pride that day and not forgetting about the American identity and how special it is.

[@wolfytronic]

4:25 and 4:39 for people asking for the G1 NATMOS: Redux

[@brodybleuplaylists9445]

I was looking for a comment like this. Thanks!

[@puckvoice]

Hard to believe it's 40 years! I remember the "Bicentennial Minute" each night on one of the networks. It was broadcast each night for about a year leading up to July 4, 1976.

[@karlhelm875]

I was 6 years old. I remember hearing the Bee Gees on the radio. My family went to Mexico in the summer of '76.

[@FezCaliph]

@@karlhelm875 traitors

[@FriendlyMexican2005]

4:43, 4:31 Voice lines used for NATMOS Redux, year four.

[@Fnafbonnie1153]

Agree

[@emajila4560]

Thank you!

[@wadebaker2910]

My dad graduated in 1976. He told me that he had one hell of a party on the 4th of July that year

[@raygordonteacheschess5501]

It was the whole year not just the 4th.

[@FezCaliph]

@@raygordonteacheschess5501 what a time to be alive 😆

[@hamster8706]

If you are here from NATMOS:R here are the timestamps: 4:44 and 4:31

[@progect3548]

and NATMOS:R with voices is 4:53

[@loganbaileysfunwithtrains606]

I will be 84 years old, hopefully I'll be sane enough to celebrate the tricentennial, or at least be alive.

[@EP1CNELSON]

79😢

[@loganbaileysfunwithtrains606]

+brooklyndodger59 maybe medicine can increase life expectancy, we are talking about the future.

[@EP1CNELSON]

+loganbaileysfunwithtrains Live a healthy life and possibly you'll last a long time.

[@frederickemail9985]

I'll be 75. Not too bad, I guess.

[@TJCoolzD]

I'll be 73. Hopefully I'll get to watch it.

[@bostonjets]

I was in the US Navy in 1976 on board the USS Richmond K Turner CG-20. What an event I witnessed.

[@lilymcardle8677]

I just remembered I graduated from high school on Bicentennial year 1976.

[@CowSaysMooMoo]

you graduated high school in JULY???? Don't most people graduate early June??

[@joeyharper4976]

@@CowSaysMooMoo Depends on the state.

[@devildickdeep]

You’re 63? 😍😋 I like your hair

[@PDXLANDBARON]

Me too!

[@FezCaliph]

Oldie

[@booeyats1]

I was 6 in 1976 in Philadelphia. My Mom and Grandmom took my older brother, who was 10 at the time, all over the city and saw just about everything and enjoyed all the celebrations in our once beautiful town. I’m so glad I grew up when I did. Long before cancel culture and when we weren’t taught to hate the country and that it’s inherently bad. I was a teenager in the 80s and I wouldn’t change it for the world! I feel bad for millennials and gen z who will never know how great of a time that was. A beautiful time to be alive.

[@anyershaman1735]

Plenty of folks in my generation still understand the importance of patriotism. There's still hope for our country. I'm confident if we play our cards right we can have another golden age like back in your time.

[@manofthehour5580]

Crazy to think my mom was 15. I wonder if she watched this back then.

[@stevethomas-cc5lz]

i was 6 also, from italy texas. man they really went all out decorating that one main street town. id ride my bike a mile to the old service station and get me an orange crush for 30 cents and a hand full of bicentennial bumper stickers.

[@DynamicDuo795]

Rocky also came out in 1976 and the release coincided with the Bicentennial as well.

[@PDXLANDBARON]

I was 18 and standing at the post flagpole at Fort Dix. We were the first soldiers of the bicentennial, what an honor and just 2 weeks after I graduated from Raritan High School Hazlet NJ. I became a multimillionaire and it started at that flag pole.

[@moosefactory133]

I was 18 years old on July 4, 1976 and went to an outdoor church service with my family on that day which was followed by a picnic. That afternoon there was an organize street party on the street I lived on complete with a DJ, parade and some night time fireworks. I missed most of the street party because of this horrible job I had at the time as a dishwasher at Frisch's.

[@altfactor]

ABC only had three specials of about an hour each on July 4th, 1976, while NBC went wall-to-wall from 8 A.M. to 8 P.M. EDT and again from 10 to 11 P.M. Eastern (with a live Bicentennial-themed Bob Hope special from 8 to 10 EDT), and CBS went nonstop from 8 A.M. EDT to 6 P.M. EDT, then again from 6:30 P.M. to 12 Midnight EDT. Had Roone Arledge taken over running ABC News in 1976 instead of 1977, the network likely would have roughly the same amount of live coverage as it's rivals. We in Boston remember the Bicentennial as the year the annual Boston Pops concert and fireworks show became a national event. I recall watching CBS pick-up the conclusion of the concert (the "1812 Overture" and "Stars And Stripes Forever", both accompanied by fireworks) live; I later heard that ABC and NBC also showed the climax of the concert live as well.

[@gregsells8549]

From what I read in the paper, ABC reasoned that more people would be away from the tube and out as they usually be on the Fourth, traditionally the least watched day of television all year. ABC had long been a distant third among the Big Three, but this would be the year they would take over No. 1 in prime time. I noticed that the graphic font was the one used by ABC Sports at the time, not what ABC News usually had (ironically, the ABC News font would be used for the Montreal Olympics later that month). Speaking of the Olympics, Dan Ingram voiced the promos. Also, ABC didn't carry the political conventions gavel-to-gavel like CBS and NBC, and the low viewership ABC expected can be seen in the ad time being filled with network promos. The Alphabet Network would make up for this lesser Bicentennial coverage a decade later with Liberty Weekend.

[@altfactor]

On July 4th, 2026, for America's 250th anniversary, expect ABC, CBS, CNN, Fox News Channel, MSNBC, and NBC to all go wall-to-wall from about 8 A.M. EDT until about 12:30 A.M. (with ABC, CBS, and NBC likely giving local stations a half-hour window for local newscasts at 6 P.M. EDT).

[@RX7821979]

I'll be 82 in July 4 of 2076 Hopefully I'm still alive :(

[@jackthorton10]

RX7821979 have hope and you will sir, have a good day

[@Yomi2012]

I would be in my early 90’s during the 300th anniversary

[@randomvideos8722]

I'll be 69 on July 4, 2076.

[@cosmicleo3671]

I will also be 69 by 7/4/2076. Edit: I’ll be 68. Sorry, my birthday’s in October, made a slight error.

[@ALLEXXMONSTERPARAWHO]

Same, can’t wait.

[@johnny10301968]

I most likely will not be here I will be 107 in 2076 but i'll bet the Tricentennial will be huge

[@dsalipur]

johnny10301968 If America lasts that long.

[@unclejason]

Sad but true

[@weedermann]

The US will have to be VASTLY different socially in 2076 for a tricentennial--or perhaps the US will have fallen as a power by then

[@bijeto]

If I'm here in 2076, I'll be 106. Just a year younger. So I'll just wish you a Happy Tricentennial today! 🇺🇸🎆☀️

[@pauleypavillion6088]

same here...I'll be 119 years old at that year. One never knows our human lifespan will be expanded by the miracles of medicine. Maybe see the 2076 celebration.

[@sambradley2975]

I remember seeing the tall ships in NY Harbor, that was a thrilling sight to see.

[@justme-yr2xf]

c, senore ẞ

[@kurtb8474]

I remember '76 fondly. And we had no idea USA would become what it is today. It's heartbreaking.

[@bldali]

Well, hopefully there will be a big celebration in 2026 also, for the 250th - or sestercentennial.

[@jcepri]

if democracy is still intact.

[@tobiojo6469]

@@jcepriexactly

[@jerryalexander2201]

I read a few articles that there are of lots plans for the sestercentennial in 2026, for the 250th anniversary. 4 years away 1776-2026 !!!

[@SonofTuscon99]

967 days from today! (November 10th,2023)

[@anonymousfairydrones5626]

For people who came from natmos:r 4:43 & 4:31

[@ThePandemonium]

4:44 NATMOS:R fans be like 😮

[@Ricardoelpr356]

4:30

[@RandyR]

Was living in Downey CA. and remember it well. Have lost or sold all my souvenirs. Was 22

[@SNFDNSD]

I'll be 79 in 2076. I hope I can see it but I'm nervous.

[@WilnaWhite]

I marched in the Philadelphia parade, in boots, carrying a huge flag while performing a routine. We were given a 1976 $2 bill each as a thank you. Bel Air High School banc, the Bobcats. I will never forget that day. It was awesome.

[@ultimatewarrior733]

Back when people respected this country.

[@charlesmandus574]

I hear ya, buddy. BTW, I was going to turn 10 four days later.

[@FezCaliph]

When it was worth respecting you mean

[@ultimatewarrior733]

@@FezCaliph It's still worth respecting if you know what's good for you, Caliph. Such a fitting username for a fool who has no respect for the power and might of the nation that sits on top of the world.

[@FezCaliph]

@@ultimatewarrior733 never met a Riley worth respecting In my life either. RIP Ultimate Warrior though. Of course you’d love him since he was so hard to work with 🤣

[@Sunset553]

It was the biggest birthday party we ever had, and we were all invited.

[@superblue2983]

☆1976, 1976 , 1976, 1976, 1976☆ ☆ 1776-1976☆ Epic fucking year , i was 9 years old and I remember it lije it was yesterday, red white & blue every where in Queens, NY. :-)

[@altfactor]

The ABC News political convention promo at 7:55 of this clip suggests that they would have the most comprehensive live coverage of the two conventions. However, while CBS and NBC went "gavel-to-gavel" (covering every session live from start-to-finish), ABC didn't start nightly coverage until 9:30 P.M. EDT, and assuming sessions ended at or around 11 P.M. EDT; ABC only had about 90 minutes of live coverage each night (as opposed to around three-and-a-half-to-four hours of live coverage by the other networks). But the ABC convention coverage approach of 1968, 1972, and 1976 (I think they went back to gavel-to-gavel in 1980 coverage) would be adopted by the major broadcast networks in 1984. Today, the broadcast networks generally carry one hour apiece of live coverage of each session of a political convention.

[@joebradio]

Wasn't that also the year that one night of a convention on ABC was bumped by the MLB All-star game.

[@altfactor]

ABC had a half-hour of live convention coverage that night before the Baseball All-Star Game, and about 45 minutes or so between the end of the game and the end if that night's session.

[@manesitalo3006]

The U.S. Navy Reserve recalled me on active duty for that event. I was assigned as interpreter for the Commanding Officer of the Italian flagship San Giorgio. And I had a great time.

[@raygordonteacheschess5501]

I was nine years old in 1976. It was huge.

[@buffalomafia7162]

Greetings from July 4th, 2017

[@JoesLostSongs]

4:44 and 4:32!!!

[@totpkg]

Reasoner looks as thrilled as someone working a major holiday that happens to fall on a Sunday.

[@gilliancampbell6759]

I was almost 5 months old on July 4, 1976.

[@sambradley2975]

The first time I saw the movie "1776" was on the actual day of what the movie is based on(originally a play though), it has a 4th of July tradition for me ever since.

[@asherxtn]

4:52 I finally know from where ubiquity took their design for the unifi ap

[@anthonytrahan1017]

Camping in the Shenadoah National Park on 4 Jul 76

[@radiodj1520]

In This Clip, From 0:00 To 1:57, It Was ABC News' The Great American Birthday Party Video Open From Sunday Morning, July 4, 1976.

[@michaelcristiancrow]

GOD BLESS AMERICA! I'm happy that Hispanics are finally being recognized for their contribution in the American Revolution! FINALLY!

[@earthakitt3661]

What did Hispanics do for the American revolution? Do you mean the French?

[@superduperisaac]

James Johansson Spain declared war on Britain during the revolutionary war to support the Americans, it also provided weapons, money and supplies for American troops. It's not often discussed but Spain did provide quite a bit of aid to the colonies during the revolution.

[@jackthorton10]

Micah Lall-Trail Thank you 😊 you Spanish Conquistadors. Your efforts will not be left gone with the wind 💨

[@tommyparkerparker]

45 years ago today July 4,1976

[@drifter2597]

The intro music is the only part I pay attention to

[@johnstevenson1709]

Do you remember when USA news was serious thorough and even handed? Then you must be over 40

[@noco7243]

Even handed with what? It's literally a video about the bicentennial? Damn ya'll are just desperate to bitch about the media.

[@notsparctacus]

@@noco7243 So, the MSM is even handed today?

[@noco7243]

@@notsparctacus Probably moreso than you clowns.

[@notsparctacus]

@@noco7243 Fake news is better than real news. Got it. Thanks.

[@mohamedbenlashher4510]

notsparctacus nice straw man, you just don’t have an argument

[@andrewvandervort300]

I was 5 months old on 4th of July 1976

[@gilliancampbell6759]

I was also 5 months old on July 4, 1976!

[@abril417]

In 2026 we will celebrate our Semiquincentennial, 250 years🇺🇸

[@geraldtanaka4746]

I missed this

[@wild7279]

What were the demonstrations over in Philadelphia ?

[@NorwayTracking]

And we’ll likely enjoy every minute. (minute.) (minute.) -cross the reflecting pool of the Washington Monument and the Capitol Dome beyond. (beyond. beyond.) (beyond. beyond.) (beyond.) (beyond.)

[@MrJacMac1968]

Wonder what the Tricentennial will be like in 2076? Dont think I will live till 108.Dont think I will be around for the millennial in 2776 either or the 1,001,776( one million year celebration)

[@zionismisterrorism8716]

250th anniversary is coming up in 2026.

[@dogsense3773]

Was 20 years old in 1976, was at sea just about the whole time u.s navy didn't see a damn thing thanks

[@lorireece1970]

My sister was born two days after this.

[@mariadefalco2850]

every body was dressed RED WHITE BLUE

[@TheDesolate.]

Aniball

[@IndieAuriemma]

People seemed more tolerant of each other back at this time. I was 10 years old in 76. Best time of my life. Best summer ever! God Bless America, FOREVER!

[@weedermann]

You say this because you were a child--and NOT female or of color. Tolerant? No, the social climate was NOT. Women, people of color were finally emerging in the work force, in something called "equal opportunity" More like "noblesse oblige".

[@earthakitt3661]

Typical black person. "Hey! Look at me too!"

[@DannyManny98]

My Mother was 11 during the time

[@holtridge7337]

I wasn't even born yet.

[@TheMikester307]

I was about to turn 16!

[@missytucker5202]

I Was 5 Years Old In 1976 /I Really Don't Remember What My Family Did /But I Am Sure We Did Something Fun 🇱🇷

[@RicardoMonasterio_rmidiomas]

I was 9 yrs old...

[@thekidfromiowa]

Poor Harry got stuck inside on the Bicentennial.

[@davanmani556]

Before Barbara Walters

[@auti34]

I was 10 in 76 fun times

[@parisanforaro748]

Natmosr

[@raulvazquezdiaz9301]

Video de participantes de México trío huasteco y bailarines si los pudieran tener después de tantos años seria un sueño hecho realidad gracias

[@bradbennett67]

Was there. Was 8.

[@viniciuslacerdamontagenses7381]

Wow

[@txmwxl]

Ill be 72 in 2076

[@rinoaleonhart86]

i bet 1000$ the US wont be in as good a state in 2076.

[@keithwarner6997]

Great xs

[@FaeDruid]

Proud liberal, proud American. America has its problems, our current President is horrible, but America is great.

[@jackthorton10]

John Marcovecchio God bless the USA

[@Martin-gz4qn]

MAGA 2020

[@MWarne58]

John Marcovecchio MAGA

[@Luisofbrazil]

relax, you will, you just have to keep careful to not do anything extreme that can cause an accidental death, or smoke and drink constantly, otherwise you wouldn't live for very long, anyway, don't worry : ) ps: I'm also 19

[@miguelperez-gb5kr]

Happy Birthday USA!

[@jwdude51]

I wish we never got involved in the Middle East.

[@perspii2808]

I hope that the United States doesn’t exist in 2076. I understand that this video is used by older people to feel nostalgic and I respect that, but I just feel like adding my thoughts upon the state of a transcontinental empire that exists as a vehicle for oppression and subjugation under consumer capitalism, institutionalised hatred, and exploitation of human beings for profit to maintain a hierarchical structure that continues to exists towards the benefit of people in positions of unjust power and monetary wealth. The very idea of the ‘United States’ is a lie that harms both the people who exist under it, and those who don’t. Even the supposed revolution, the backbone of American mythology, the *glorious* upheaval of tyranny was for the benefit of the already ruling elite to gain independent hegemony and control over the people of the colonies. Two hundred years later, and the mythos of freedom and liberty are so deeply imprinted upon an ‘American’ persons subconscious that the actual concept of freedom is so incredibly far from even existing. How can true freedom exist in such a state of peoples? I hope there’s a brighter future for all human beings by the time 2076 comes around. If I make it that far, I’ll be 73 I guess. Hopefully Earth is a better place for human existence and cohabitation by then, but I doubt it. With that being said, God bless THE USA!! Woooooo, let’s kill some commies boiiii

[@heinoustentacles5719]

Wow, you're so hip man...

[@perspii2808]

@@heinoustentacles5719 yeah I mean this is a really cringe comment to look back on. I have no idea why I wrote a pretentious wall of text on an ABC video I was 16 and had just read A People’s History, which is why I was so passionate about it all I guess. I straight up just attempted to emulate the way zinn wrote in it too Literally just so extra 🗿