Here's a look back at what the world was like in October 1976 — based on the covers of the most popular magazines. Some things have changed considerably while some things have stayed the same. Take a trip down memory lane with these eight covers.  

People 

People

Walters made history in 1976 by being the first female co-anchor of a network evening news program. It wasn't all good vibes at ABC Evening News though, with Walters and co-anchor Harry Reasoner struggling to get along. Walters left the program two years later but went on to become one of the leading broadcast journalists of all time. 

People

Hey, who remembers Captain & Tennille? The pop duo starred in their own variety show starting in the fall of 1976, striving to become the more wholesome version of Sonny and Cher. Alas, love didn't keep them together, as the couple announced their divorce in 2014 after 39 years of marriage. 

Time 

TIME

People often associate the giant ape with the 1933 thriller, but let's not forget there was a remake 40 years ago. The 1976 version of King Kong is the only version that features the ape climbing up the World Trade Center instead of the Empire State Building. 

TIME

With one month to go until the presidential election, President Gerald Ford was working hard to erase Jimmy Carter's lead in the polls. However, during the second presidential debate, Ford committed a costly error by claiming there was no Soviet domination of Eastern Europe.  

TV Guide 

TV Guide

The Norman Lear sitcom All's Fair only ran for one season in 1976, but it will forever be immortalized with this TV Guide, which features stars Bernadette Peters and Richard Crenna. 

TV Guide

A more well known freshman sitcom also donned the cover of TV Guide that month. Alice debuted in the fall of 1976 and lasted for nine seasons. 

Rolling Stone 

Rolling Stone

This issue of Rolling Stone is notable for Elton John's candid conversation about his sexuality, telling the magazine he's bisexual and saying he thinks everybody is to a certain degree. Controversy followed, and John's record sales plummeted followed by an announcement the following year saying he would retire from performing. 

Tiger Beat 

Tiger Beat

People could not get enough of John Travolta in 1976. Seriously, the guy was everywhere! In October 1976, the Welcome Back, Kotter star shared the cover with up-and-coming teen sensation Leif Garrett. Tiger Beat also asked if Donny and Marie Osmond would always be together. The duo is still touring together in 2016, so teens back then would be thrilled to know the answer to that question is yes.