How July 4th Was Celebrated 40 Years Ago

ABC News covered the 200th anniversary of America's independence from coast to coast.

[chickasawstarrmountain]

I was 5 yrs old but I vividly remember the cookouts, parades, and the huge fireworks, we even had bicentennial home decor, dishes, it was something I'll never forget

[spookedhorse]

Man, I was 10, in 76. Greatest time of my life. Then celebrations and emotions flourished for over a year. Greatest time of my life.

[georgekinsey]

I remember as a ten-year-old sitting on the hill with my family near the Arch in St. Louis. There was a young couple sitting next to us. They were eating ready-made frosting out of a container, and I remember hearing "Afternoon Delight" playing from their transistor radio.

[kengiorlando]

My favorite year - as a 15 year old this was the greatest year of my young life! Thanks for this!

[Rescue]

I was 10 in 1976. Interesting that they made a time capsule to be opened in 2025. Just 6 years from now. I will be 59 and see it, God willing.

[InFltSvc]

I was 12 and have GREAT memories of this time. This was when America a much different place, a better place. My mother made costumes and dressed the part for a parade in our town. Then we all went to the town baseball field and watch wonderful fireworks. These celebrations went on for several weeks and I’m so glad I lived back when things were so much better than what they are today. God bless our country and God bless this new generation.

[christopherthorkon]

It was a great celebration. I was pretty young but remember it well and watched TV all day long.

[iamjobu]

Those tall ships really lifted the nation's spirit after Watergate

[antals]

*Fallout 76 joined the chat.*
2076: Happy tricentennial!

[rhemorse]

3:50 insane that time capsules from these days are starting to be opened soon

[Deltasquadformingup]

Were going to be opening that capsule this year! 3:50

[chaospatriot]

Damn now I can't wait for 2076. I mean, I'll be 73, but damn I wanna be there

[evierodriguez]

This is such cool footage of the bicentennial! I wasn't yet born. America has changed so much from 1976.

[sugetoosty]

I was naturalized a citizen by Pres. Ford (got to shake his hand and sit in the front row by Dick Cheney) on that day at Monticello- it was a great day!

[bengaljam]

What a magical day. I was 16 at the time.

[freedomstar]

The Americans really went all out on that 4th of July.

[LindaMerchant-cxi]

The bicentennial like the millennium 2000 year of i remember

[elite_mythical]

Wow, one more year till those same kids see that time capsule again..

[jddangelo]

I hope I'll be alive for America's 300 year old birthday

[RobertGSwan]

America was a much better place back in 1976.