Of course I had to jump ahead and read Jill Lepore's article on the Bicentennial Celebration in 1976 (March 9 issue).
I have two memories of the Bicentennial.
First, one segment of the Bicentennial Wagon Train passed only about two blocks from where my family lived. I saw the wagon train, and I think I still have snapshots of it somewhere.
Second, July 4, 1976, was a Sunday. From somewhere I had picked up the information that church bells were to be rung at 2:00 that afternoon. That afternoon I was working at the part-time job in a drugstore that I had at that time, but at 2:00 I was able to be out on the sidewalk in front of the store, and I heard the church bells ring.
I guess you could say I do have a third memory. As far ahead of the Bicentennial as when I was in Fifth Grade in elementary school, we had a student debate over which city should be the center of a national celebration, Philadelphia, or Boston. Of course Philadelphia won. I don't remember which team I was on.
