Do you remember the bicentennial? This video is of the Boston Pops’ celebration on July 4, 1976 (Arthur Fiedler conducting). I used to watch this every year, and will again tonight.
I love the singing by the audience of the Battle Hymn of the Republic, and I have always loved the 1812 Overture. Nobody does that better than the Pops! Fireworks, cannons (I think they are actually howitzers) and bells, where the rebellion began that formed our country.
There was unrest in the USA back then, but there was a lot of patriotism too.
I can’t wait for next year’s big 250 celebration, and I pray it will be as patriotic and heartwarming as the bicentennial was.
Personal story: My husband and I would end parties at our house by playing the 1812 Overture, and encourage everybody to join in, clapping or hooting and hollering. One year our neighbor called the police because we were too noisy. Imagine being a loud nuisance with Tchaikovsky! I guess noise is noise.
Did you know that Queen Elizabeth visited us to help celebrate? She sent us a present too!
First Lady Betty Ford, with President Ford, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip in the President’s Dining Room in conjunction with a 1976 state visit during the U.S. Bicentennial. fordlibrarymuseum
Bicentennial Bell. Friends of Independence National Historical Park
Stella's Place 
Big year for me personally, 1976. Registered to vote, graduated high school, got married, among a number of other things. And through it all, all year, especially leading up to the 4th, we celebrated as a country.
I went to a high school in downtown Chattanooga. Racial tensions were high, and it was a tough place. We had a vote on what color gown to wear. All the blacks voted for school colors, and the whites voted for red, white, and blue. We barely won, and they were very mad.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Happy Independence Day, Menage!
LikeLiked by 2 people
PS: Does it seem like almost 50 years?
LikeLiked by 2 people
Absolutely not! Seems like I ought to open the closet and see bell bottom jeans, colorful bohemian print shirts, and Dr. Scholl’s platform sandals!
LikeLiked by 1 person
And to you Stella!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The Czarevich was born that day. He has a very decorative birth certificate, obviously red, white and blue, with the Flag & fireworks depicted.
LikeLiked by 2 people
My older grandson missed it by one day. His birthday was yesterday.
LikeLiked by 2 people
He was born in a hospital very close to Lake Michigan, on the Chicago near north side. That night we had a perfect view of the fireworks from the hospital room window.
LikeLike