What life was like 45 years ago, as told by popular magazine covers

The summer of '76 was one for the history books.

Time, Inc., TV Guide

Can you believe it's August already? Better yet, can you believe it's been 45 years since 1976? Neither can we. 

It's been four decades since Donny and Marie were fresh-faced teenagers on TV, Columbo ruled the ratings, and the Summer Olympics took place in Montreal. 

Here's what life was like in August 1976, as told by the covers of the nation's most popular magazines. Do you remember any of these events?

People 

The Carpenters were on top of the world in 1976 after several years of mainstream success. It's hard to believe Karen was only 26 years old at this point, which People alludes to by saying the brother and sister were just starting to grow up. 

People

Peter Falk was getting a little tired of Columbo by 1976, and chose to take on more film roles. He couldn't escape the series for that long, however, as he would reprise the role of the detective until 2003. 

People

Another television star riding high in 1976 was Carol Burnett, who sold a lot of her belongings to benefit charity. 

Time 

TIME

Just like this year, controversy surrounded the lead up to the Summer Olympics in Montreal in 1976. (Note the spelling of "Rumania." Times have changed.) 

TIME

After a contentious primary season, the Republican Party finally settled with Gerald Ford as their nominee in 1976, after an intense challenge from Ronald Reagan. 

TV Guide 

TV Guide

Hey look, it's Donny and Marie! The brother-sister duo was in the first year of their successful variety show. 

TV Guide

The Waltons was gearing up for its fifth incredibly wholesome season in August of 1976. 

Rolling Stone 

Rolling Stone

The rock publication went reggae with a feature on Jamaican superstar Bob Marley. 

National Geographic 

National Geographic

Who knew millions of monarch butterflies flew south of the border every year to the exact same reserve in central Mexico? Researchers discovered this great migration in 1975, and a year later it was featured on the cover of National Geographic. 

Cosmopolitan

Cosmopolitan

It feels like Rene Russo appeared on every magazine cover in the 1970s. The in-demand model was on the cover of Cosmo in August 1976, about a decade before her acting career took off. 

Are you sure you want to delete this comment?
Close

0 Comments

Be the first to leave a comment!
Are you sure you want to delete this comment?