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17 vintage ads that prove everything was patriotic in the summer of '76
There's no better way to celebrate the Bicentennial than with a chainsaw and Pez.
American pride was at a high during the summer of 1976. The Spirit of '76 touched every part of American culture, as stars and bars appeared on everything from bellbottoms to soda bottles. Companies were quick to ride the wave of patriotism with products and advertisements celebrating the birth of the United States.
As these 1976 advertisements show, Bicentennial spirit reached everything from cosmetics and fast food to lawn care and automobiles.
1. Lighters
Image: zippo.forumactif
What better way to light fireworks?
2. Candy
Image: burgercupcake
Eat Pez from a Founding Father's neck!
3. Balloons
Image: Pinterest / eBay
Bicentennial helium not included.
4. Film
Image: eBay
The perfect way to capture budding Betsy Rosses.
5. Airplanes
Image: aalareunion
With a name like American, they had to do something.
6. Magazines
Image: jana-treeclimber
Saturday Evening Post released a special Bicentennial edition.
7. Rental cars
Image: Pinterest / eBay
Perhas $76 seems expensive for a rental car in 1976, but that was for an entire week.
8. Chainsaws
Image: menopauselsupermodel
That will take down a cherry tree in no time.
9. Cosmetics
Image: Pinterest / Polly Esther
Coty released colors in the shades of Colonial wildflowers.
10. Aluminum foil
Image: michaelstvtray
Who has slept on aluminum foil?
11. T-Shirts
Image: retrospace
"What'chu talkin' 'bout, Willis?" America! That's Todd Bridges.
12. Sportswear
Image: menopauselsupermodel
The perfect look for crossing rivers.
13. Guns
Image: eBay
We hope you could get it modified like the Rifleman.
14. Catalogs
Image: etsy
Kids needed to look sharp when touring historical sites.
15. Radios
Image: radioshackcatalogs
The perfect technology for listening to Sousa marches.
16. Comic book calendars
Image: starlogged
How big was American pride? Even the Brits could order Marvel Bicentennial calendars.
17. Milkshakes
Image: Jason Liebig / Collecting Candy / Flickr
Hey, McDonald's still releases green milkshakes for St. Patrick's Day. Let's get these every 4th of July.
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