Sunday Special: The BitBA Bicentennial!
Martinex1: It is not your usual Sunday fare today, as we are having a bit of a celebration - or at least a simple marker on a long road. Today marks the 200th post on this wacky and sometimes random site. BitBA started as a bit of a challenge with the much-beloved Bronze Age Babies blog closing their doors and us carrying on the flickering torch. I am not sure if both Redartz and I thought we would make it this long. We haven't gone a full year yet, but 200 daily posts seems like an accomplishment. It has been fun so far, and we still have a bucket full of ideas ready to go.
We couldn't have done it without you - the lurkers, the commenters, the participants - taking a look each day and sharing your thoughts. We have met some new contributors along the way and are always glad to do so. And with all of the Follow the Leader posts on Tuesdays and the occasional guest posts, you have truly been an active part of keeping this on target and entertaining for us (and hopefully for you as well). So thank you all!
Redartz: Two hundred posts; it seems improbable! We haven't re-booted and started back with post #1 yet; are we overdue? But seriously, it has been a challenge, but a fun and educational one. And all of you faithful followers, cognizant commenters and regular readers make it all worthwhile! To each of you, a big heartfelt thank you. And a special "thanks muchly" to those of you who have provided guest posts, sent topic suggestions, and have given generous assistance. The BitBA is truly a team effort, and every participant is integral to the community. I look forward to more, more, more Bronze Age banter with you all...
In honor of our own bicentennial, I thought we could reminisce about the USA's Bicentennial in 1976. Although it is not the Fourth of July, some of the art, activities, and celebrations from that year have been on my mind. Surely the '76 festivities fell right in the heart of the Bronze Age, and everything from license plates to lunchboxes were screaming with red, white, and blue. What are your memories from that time and is it as etched in your childhood recollections as it was in mine?
Cheers all! Have a great day... and we will see you back here tomorrow with all new material!
9 comments:
I was nine years old then, a month removed from turning ten. Really got into reading comics at this age, and was digging Cap's Bicentennial Battles book.
My cousins had moved to Texas a few years earlier and were staying with us for the Fourth of July.
It was great having them over because I had really missed them.
Wings' "Silly Love Songs" was the hit that played endlessly on the radio, along with Elton John's year-old "Philadelphia Freedom", for obvious patriotic reasons.
Our family had a nice sized suburban yard and had recently purchased a pop up trailer to vacation with. After a long day, I went to sleep on it's hard multipurpose cushions/bed, as my room had been taken over by my older cousins.
Forever will I remember listening to those fireworks explode deep into that muggy, magical night.
Sentimental Yoyo
Well, I was only four years old (and in Canada), so I don't remember anything about the Bicentennial.
By the way, not to bring everyone down, but it looks like Rich Buckler has died of cancer. He did some really good work for both companies in the Bronze Age--some of his covers were spectacular. He'll be missed.
Ahhh, fond memories of that summer! My father was a history buff, and quite excited about the Bicentennial. He had commemorative stamps, books, and much more. I still have the Bicentennial Proof Coin set he gave me. Of course, much of that had been available for some time. Folks were hawking Bicentennial merchandise several years prior to 1976.
As for the day- we had a cookout, watched the parade in our small town (my sister actually marched in the parade, with her dance group), and of course enjoyed the fireworks. The Spirit of '76...
I was 15 that summer...
Fondly remember the Marvel calendar for 1976 showing the various characters juxtaposed onto famous Revolutionary War images.
The whole town (Crown Point, Indiana) more/less painted all the fire hydrants in revolutionary war themes.
Red - I still have the proof sets! (As an aside I remember every year ritually buying those from the Mint.) I'm sure they are safe with my stamp collection of bicentennial related plate blocks, LOL!)
Went to the county fireworks show. Some U.S. of A. rednecks decided to sit on top of our van. My dad went over and asked them to not sit on our vehicle and they wanted to fight about it.
It was quite the day.
Anyhow, I am still really bugged from seeing that ASM /Luke Cage cover yesterday realizing that Gwen Stacey had just died (in that issue is her funeral). I know it sounds immature/stupid but Nope... I can't let it go and think Conway should issue a profound apology to all us older Bronzers and SAs.
I've just been looking at what the BBC was doing to mark July 4th, 1976.
BBC Two gave us:
A documentary about the big business of American sport.
A documentary about the Philadelphia Orchestra.
An Alistair Cooke presented orchestral and firework show at the Royal Naval College, which was, apparently, broadcast across North America, which all sounds a bit unlikely.
A film called, "1776," which I've never heard of.
BBC One gave us:
A documentary about the Iroquois League.
"Davy Crockett - King of the Wild Frontier."
"True Grit."
Sunrise over the Grand Canyon.
Hydroplane Racing down the Mississippi.
Beach Parties in California.
Pictures from Mars as Viking prepared to land on the planet.
And a fence painting contest.
Maybe it's just me but I suspect people were a little more excited by the pictures from Mars than they were by the fence painting contest.
Anyway, it would appear that that was the view of America the media was giving us, back in 1976; Davy Crockett, John Wayne, Mars and fence painting.
Meanwhile, at Number Sixteen on the singles chart was, "The Boston Tea Party," by The Sensational Alex Harvey Band who were indeed sensational. Alex Harvey had arguably more stage presence than any other singer in the history of humanity. According to Wikipedia, the only place in America where they sold any records was Cleveland, which suggests that their cunning ruse of cashing in on the Bicentennial sadly failed in its aims. Still, at least it worked in Britain.
Yes, we were well aware of the Bicentennial over here. Marvel's Bicentennial calendar was available via mail-order from UK Marvel and 'Captain America's Bicentennial Battles' was on sale in the shops...but I didn't buy either of them. Congratulations on reaching 200 posts !
Guys, congrats on the milestone! It is indeed one worth celebrating.
As to the bicentennial, I have that Cap treasury. I also recall the songs mentioned above, and still listen to them (playing off the topic of a few days ago). As to the day itself, those memories are hidden away somewhere in my brain. No clue...
Doug
It's funny, my missus mentioned this country's 'bicentennial' to some new young doctor at the hospital she works at... 'Course his response was, 'who's bicentennial...?'
Too funny.
I do have to pick up both the Supes and Cap Bicentennial Treasury's one of these days soon..., thanks for the fun reminder.
Congrats to you guys on this great site.
Congrats on your 200th post guys!
- Mike from Trinidad & Tobago.
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