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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