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Back to 1976

1976 Context: News, Entertainment, Lifestyle

1 / 24American skater Dorothy Hamill wins a Gold Medal at the 1976 Winter Olympics in Innsbruck, Austria. Hamill's bobbed hair style known as the "short and sassy" look becomes popular.

News

American skater Dorothy Hamill wins a Gold Medal at the 1976 Winter Olympics in Innsbruck, Austria. Hamill's bobbed hair style known as the "short and sassy" look becomes popular.

2 / 24The United States celebrates its bicentennial in 1976 with many events, culminating in elaborate fireworks in many cities including the event in Washington DC which is televised nationally.

News

The United States celebrates its bicentennial in 1976 with many events, culminating in elaborate fireworks in many cities including the event in Washington DC which is televised nationally.

3 / 24Jimmy Carter defeats incumbent Gerald Ford in the 1976 presidential election. The former Georgia governor presents himself as a Washington outsider, with his victory arriving as many voters are still looking for a fresh start after Watergate and the Vietnam years.

News

Jimmy Carter defeats incumbent Gerald Ford in the 1976 presidential election. The former Georgia governor presents himself as a Washington outsider, with his victory arriving as many voters are still looking for a fresh start after Watergate and the Vietnam years.

4 / 24Sylvester Stallone writes and stars in Rocky, a 1976 story about a small-time boxer getting an unlikely shot at the champion. Training runs, a hesitant romance and the appeal of an underdog help make the film a hit and the Academy Award winner for Best Picture. Released December 1976. U.S. box office: No. 1 among 1976 releases.

Movies

Sylvester Stallone writes and stars in Rocky, a 1976 story about a small-time boxer getting an unlikely shot at the champion. Training runs, a hesitant romance and the appeal of an underdog help make the film a hit and the Academy Award winner for Best Picture. Released December 1976. U.S. box office: No. 1 among 1976 releases.

5 / 24Pong brings a simple video game into the living room. Players turn the controls and watch the television become a playing field, giving family entertainment a new electronic option.

Advertising

Pong brings a simple video game into the living room. Players turn the controls and watch the television become a playing field, giving family entertainment a new electronic option.

6 / 24Bruce Jenner (later Caitlyn Jenner), wins the decathlon at the Montreal Olympics in 1976. The victory brings a gold medal in one of track and field’s most demanding events and turns the American athlete into a familiar face far beyond sports coverage.

News

Bruce Jenner (later Caitlyn Jenner), wins the decathlon at the Montreal Olympics in 1976. The victory brings a gold medal in one of track and field’s most demanding events and turns the American athlete into a familiar face far beyond sports coverage.

7 / 2414-year-old Romanian gymnast Nadia Comaneci is the first person to score a perfect 10 in gymnastics at the Montreal Summer Olympics. Comaneci wins three gold medals including the all-around.

News

14-year-old Romanian gymnast Nadia Comaneci is the first person to score a perfect 10 in gymnastics at the Montreal Summer Olympics. Comaneci wins three gold medals including the all-around.

8 / 24Concorde begins scheduled passenger service in 1976. Its slender shape and supersonic speed promise a glamorous new way to cross long distances, though high fares keep the experience well beyond the reach of most travelers.

News

Concorde begins scheduled passenger service in 1976. Its slender shape and supersonic speed promise a glamorous new way to cross long distances, though high fares keep the experience well beyond the reach of most travelers.

9 / 24Cadillac presents a long, dark car in a leafy setting. The substantial body and polished grille make size itself part of the appeal, with a sense of quiet comfort to match.

Advertising

Cadillac presents a long, dark car in a leafy setting. The substantial body and polished grille make size itself part of the appeal, with a sense of quiet comfort to match.

10 / 24Dodge's Custom Street Vans offer room for friends, equipment and a little personal expression. Paintwork and interior changes can make a utility vehicle feel more like a rolling clubroom.

Advertising

Dodge's Custom Street Vans offer room for friends, equipment and a little personal expression. Paintwork and interior changes can make a utility vehicle feel more like a rolling clubroom.

11 / 24Custom spoked wheels give the car enthusiast another way to make a vehicle stand out. A shiny finish and a little attention from friends turn an automotive detail into part of the scene.

Advertising

Custom spoked wheels give the car enthusiast another way to make a vehicle stand out. A shiny finish and a little attention from friends turn an automotive detail into part of the scene.

12 / 24Skier Wayne Wong flies over a Dodge Aspen in an eye-catching advertising stunt. The snowy setting and midair pose give a family car an unexpected association with sport and adventure.

Advertising

Skier Wayne Wong flies over a Dodge Aspen in an eye-catching advertising stunt. The snowy setting and midair pose give a family car an unexpected association with sport and adventure.

13 / 24The action crime drama Charlie's Angels debuts on ABC TV. The show would run for five seasons, bringing stardom to Farrah Fawcett, Jaclyn Smith and Kate Jackson. First broadcast: September 22, 1976.

Television

The action crime drama Charlie's Angels debuts on ABC TV. The show would run for five seasons, bringing stardom to Farrah Fawcett, Jaclyn Smith and Kate Jackson. First broadcast: September 22, 1976.

14 / 24ABC debuts the sitcom Laverne & Shirley about two young women who work as bottle cappers at the Schotz Brewery in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The show is a spinoff from Happy Days and runs for eight seasons. First broadcast: January 27, 1976.

Television

ABC debuts the sitcom Laverne & Shirley about two young women who work as bottle cappers at the Schotz Brewery in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The show is a spinoff from Happy Days and runs for eight seasons. First broadcast: January 27, 1976.

15 / 24Lindsay Wagner stars in The Bionic Woman, which debuts in 1976. Jaime Sommers’s enhanced strength, speed and hearing turn an apparently ordinary woman into an action hero, extending the television fascination with technology that can rebuild the human body. First broadcast: January 14, 1976.

Television

Lindsay Wagner stars in The Bionic Woman, which debuts in 1976. Jaime Sommers’s enhanced strength, speed and hearing turn an apparently ordinary woman into an action hero, extending the television fascination with technology that can rebuild the human body. First broadcast: January 14, 1976.

16 / 24The film King Kong, about the capture of a giant ape, introduces Jessica Lange in her first film role. The film is a remake of the 1933 King Kong film. Released December 1976.

Movies

The film King Kong, about the capture of a giant ape, introduces Jessica Lange in her first film role. The film is a remake of the 1933 King Kong film. Released December 1976.

17 / 24The horror film Carrie features Sissy Spacek as Carrie White, a shy girl who is bullied at school, but uses her telekinetic powers for revenge. The film is based on Stephen King's first novel. Released November 1976.

Movies

The horror film Carrie features Sissy Spacek as Carrie White, a shy girl who is bullied at school, but uses her telekinetic powers for revenge. The film is based on Stephen King's first novel. Released November 1976.

18 / 24The film Taxi Driver is a psychological thriller starring Robert De Niro and Jodie Foster. Directed by Martin Scorsese, the film is nominated for four Academy Awards. Released February 1976.

Movies

The film Taxi Driver is a psychological thriller starring Robert De Niro and Jodie Foster. Directed by Martin Scorsese, the film is nominated for four Academy Awards. Released February 1976.

19 / 24The Marlboro Man makes the cowboy a familiar figure in cigarette advertising. A hat, working clothes and an outdoor setting suggest independence, turning a carefully constructed image into the campaign's central attraction.

Advertising

The Marlboro Man makes the cowboy a familiar figure in cigarette advertising. A hat, working clothes and an outdoor setting suggest independence, turning a carefully constructed image into the campaign's central attraction.

20 / 24Yamaha puts a keyboard into a playful advertisement promising music at the touch of a switch—or under the player's own hands. Home instruments are being sold as entertainment as well as serious practice.

Advertising

Yamaha puts a keyboard into a playful advertisement promising music at the touch of a switch—or under the player's own hands. Home instruments are being sold as entertainment as well as serious practice.

21 / 24Men's suits keep their broad lapels and flared trousers in 1976. Different colors and patterns offer alternatives to a single business uniform, with fitted jackets holding the silhouette together.

Fashion

Men's suits keep their broad lapels and flared trousers in 1976. Different colors and patterns offer alternatives to a single business uniform, with fitted jackets holding the silhouette together.

22 / 24Penneys pairs long tops with flowing or flared trousers. Strong green tones and a busy floral print bring a coordinated feel to a wardrobe designed around comfortable separates.

Fashion

Penneys pairs long tops with flowing or flared trousers. Strong green tones and a busy floral print bring a coordinated feel to a wardrobe designed around comfortable separates.

23 / 24The Tshirtery puts rock groups on the front of everyday clothes. A favorite band's shirt can identify the wearer before a conversation even starts, making music part of a personal look.

Advertising

The Tshirtery puts rock groups on the front of everyday clothes. A favorite band's shirt can identify the wearer before a conversation even starts, making music part of a personal look.

24 / 24High-school students gather around a car for a 1976 photograph. Jeans, casual tops and long hair give the group an easygoing appearance, with the vehicle providing somewhere for everyone to sit.

Lifestyle

High-school students gather around a car for a 1976 photograph. Jeans, casual tops and long hair give the group an easygoing appearance, with the vehicle providing somewhere for everyone to sit.