NEWS FROM 1976
On March 31st, The New Jersey Supreme Court ruled that coma patient Karen Anne Quinlan could be disconnected from her respirator. (Quinlan, who remained comatose, died in 1985.)
On April 5th, Reclusive billionaire Howard Hughes died in Houston at age 72.
On July 20th, America's "Viking One" robot spacecraft made a successful, first-ever landing on Mars. Scientists announced that the spacecraft had found the strongest indications to date of possible life on Mars.
On September 24th, Newspaper heiress Patricia Hearst was sentenced to seven years in prison for her part in a 1974 bank robbery. (She was released after 22 months after receiving clemency from President Carter.)
On November 6th, Benjamin L. Hooks was chosen to be the new executive director of the NAACP, succeeding Roy Wilkins.
On December 21st, The Liberian-registered tanker "Argo Merchant" ran aground near Nantucket Island, spilling millions of gallons of oil into the North Atlantic.
Also in 1976, The U.S. celebrated its bicentennial, marking the 200th anniversary of its independence with festivals, and parades.
Celebrities born in 1976: 50 Cent, Jennifer Capriati, J.C. Chasez, Colin Farrell, Melissa Joan Hart, Ja Rule, Drew Lachey, Joey Lawrence, Peyton Manning, Rachel McAdams, Donovan McNabb, Jeremy Miller, Kip Pardue, Freddie Prinze, Jr., Keri Russell, Fred Savage, Alicia Silverstone, Amy Smart, Alison Sweeney, Jaleel White, Reese Witherspoon
1976 GOVERNMENT
President: Gerald R Ford
Vice President: Nelson Rockefeller
1976 PRICES
House: $54,750
Car: $4,100
Gallon Milk: $1.42
Gallon Gas: $.59
Loaf Bread: $.30
1st Class Stamp: $.13
1976 WINNERS
Super Bowl: Pittsburgh
World Series: Cincinnati
NBA Championship: Boston
1976 'TIME'
MAN OF THE YEAR
U.S. President ... Jimmy Carter
1976 TOP TV
Happy Days
Laverne And Shirley
The ABC Monday Night Movie
M*A*S*H
Charlie's Angels
1976 TV PREMIERS
Alice
The Bionic Woman
C.P.O. Sharky
The Captain And Tennille
Charlie's Angels
Donny And Marie
Family
The Gong Show
In Search Of...
The Jacksons
Laverne And Shirley
Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman
The Muppets Show
Quincy, M.E.
Rich Man, Poor Man (mini series)
Serpico
What's Happening?
Wonder Woman
TBS cable network (The Superstation)
1976 TOP MOVIES
Rocky
A Star Is Born
King Kong
Silver Streak
All The President's Men
Marathon Man
Network
The Omen
Taxi Driver
The Song Remains The Same
1976 MUSIC
SILLY LOVE SONGS, Wings
DON'T GO BREAKING MY HEART, Elton John & Kiki Dee
DISCO LADY, Johnny Taylor
TONIGHT'S THE NIGHT, Rod Stewart
PLAY THAT FUNKY MUSIC, Wild Cherry
KISS AND SAY GOODBYE, Manhattans
LOVE MACHINE, Miracles
50 WAYS TO LEAVE YOUR LOVER, Paul Simon
LOVE IS ALIVE, Gary Wright
A FIFTH OF BEETHOVEN, Walter Murphy & the Big Apple Band
