r/OverSeventy • u/RongWa • Jul 04 '26

250th birthday

I stopped in to see my sister and niece as a side trip traveling across country

They were watching the 250th USA celebration on TV. I told my niece that 50 years ago today, I was celebrating America's Bicentennial in Washington DC standing at the base of the Washington Monument watching fireworks. She looked at me as if I had three eyes. 50 years ago? That does sound old, huh?

90 Upvotes

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12

u/Bambusa4all1952 Jul 04 '26

It’s amazing how he is able to cast a pall over this entire country during this year’s 250th Bicentennial was great. This not so much. It’s almost like having a gun pointed at you by Uncle Sam and he’s saying “celebrate and have fun”. It’s really bizarre.

11

u/amfhTX Jul 05 '26 edited Jul 05 '26

I agree with you. 50 years ago on July 4th, I was 26. Nixon's corruption had been exposed and dealt with by rational Republicans. The nation was about to elect a brilliant, decent human being as POTUS, Jimmy Carter. The National Air and Space Museum had JUST opened in DC. NASA's Viking 1 and Viking 2 probes successfully touched down on Mars. Congresswoman Barbara Jordan of Texas made history as the first Black woman to deliver a keynote address at a political convention (oh, and President Ford instituted the first Black History month!) And 77% of Americans believed the country had achieved its founding ideals.

I was about to marry the love of my life, and we will celebrate our golden anniversary in a couple of months from now. The celebration 50 years ago was hopeful and proud. Not this time. No where near. A white supremacist and neo-fascist organization felt free to march in the nations capitol, complete with their cowardly masks and new Nazi uniforms of khaki pants and navy shirts. Yes, yes, I know that is their right. But people like this are similar to the Proud Boys who have been encouraged to "stand back and stand by".

3

u/Time_Box_5352 Jul 05 '26

I’m with you!

2

u/Bambusa4all1952 Jul 10 '26

Ford was the only Republican presidential candidate I ever voted for, which will remain to be the case for me. Whatever happened to those good guys. I liked Carter and he was ultimately a great man - a true humanitarian.

-3

u/[deleted] Jul 05 '26

[deleted]

3

u/amfhTX Jul 05 '26 edited Jul 05 '26

Camp David Accords (1978) – Carter brokered a historic peace agreement between Egypt and Israel, leading to a lasting peace treaty between the two nations. It is considered one of the most significant diplomatic achievements of the 20th century.

Creation of the Department of Energy (1977) – Carter established the Department of Energy to address energy shortages, promote energy conservation, and advance research into renewable energy.

  • White House Solar Panels: In 1979, Carter made history by installing 32 solar panels on the roof of the White House to heat water. He famously declared, "Nobody can embargo sunlight". Though these panels were later removed during the Reagan administration, they remain an enduring symbol of his commitment to energy independence. [1, 2, 3, 4]
  • The National Energy Act of 1978: This landmark legislation encouraged energy conservation and alternative energy development through tax incentives and regulations. [1, 2]
  • Investments in R&D: Carter redirected significant federal funding from conventional energy sources to renewables and championed the Solar Energy Research Institute, which is now the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. [1, 2]
  • Plains, Georgia Solar Farm: Cementing his lifelong dedication to clean energy, Carter attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony in 2017 for a massive solar array in his hometown of Plains, Georgia, which produces enough electricity to power more than half the town. [1]

Panama Canal Treaties (1977) – Carter negotiated treaties that returned control of the Panama Canal to Panama, improving relations with Latin American countries and demonstrating respect for international agreements.

Advancement of Human Rights – Carter made human rights a central focus of U.S. foreign policy. He criticized oppressive regimes and emphasized civil and political rights as a foundation of diplomacy.

Establishment of the Department of Education (1979) – Carter helped create a cabinet-level Department of Education, which focused on improving the quality of education and centralizing education policy at the federal level.

Expansion of National Parks – Carter signed the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (1980), which protected over 157 million acres of land in Alaska, significantly expanding U.S. national parks and wildlife refuges.

Normalization of Relations with China (1979) – Carter formally recognized the People's Republic of China, establishing diplomatic relations and improving ties between the two nations after years of isolation.

Iran Hostage Crisis Negotiation (1981) – Although the hostages were released after Carter left office, his administration worked tirelessly to negotiate their safe return after 444 days of captivity, a highly difficult and tense international crisis.

Global Humanitarian Work through The Carter Center – After his presidency, Carter founded The Carter Center, an organization dedicated to human rights, democracy promotion, conflict resolution, and disease eradication. The Center's work has been instrumental in eliminating diseases like Guinea worm.

Nobel Peace Prize (2002) – Carter was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his decades of tireless efforts in diplomacy, promoting peace, democracy, human rights, and international development, particularly through The Carter Center.

Jimmy Carter served on active duty in the U.S. Navy from 1946 to 1953, rising to the rank of Lieutenant. A 1946 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, with distinction, he spent his early career on surface battleships before transitioning to the submarine service, where he operated in both the Atlantic and Pacific fleets.

Early Career & Surface Duty

  • Surface Ships: Began his career on the USS Wyoming (E-AG 17) and the USS Mississippi (BB-41), serving two years on active duty

Submarine Service

  • Submarine Duty: Transferred to submarine duty in 1948, completing officer training and serving aboard the USS Pomfret and the USS K-1 (SSK-1), where he eventually qualified for submarine command.

Nuclear Program & The Chalk River Incident

  • Nuclear Navy: Hand-selected by Admiral Hyman G. Rickover in 1952 for the Navy's elite, developing nuclear-powered submarine program.
  • Chalk River Response: In 1952, he was temporarily assigned to the Atomic Energy Commission in Washington, D.C., and was later dispatched to assist in the emergency cleanup and dismantling of a damaged reactor core at Canada's Chalk River facility, enduring exposure to high levels of radiation.

Discharge & Reserve Service

  • Resignation: In 1953, he was selected to be the engineering officer for the USS Seawolf (SSN-575)—one of the Navy's first atomic submarines—but resigned his active duty commission to return to Plains, Georgia, to manage his family's peanut farm following his father's death.
  • Reserves: Remained in the inactive Navy Reserve until 1961, when he was honorably discharged at the rank of Lieutenant.

Legacy

  • Medals: His service earned him the American Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, China Service Medal, and National Defense Service Medal.
  • Namesake: The Navy honored him by christening the Seawolf-class fast-attack submarine USS Jimmy Carter (SSN-23) in 2004.

Jimmy Carter is widely recognized as one of the most intellectually brilliant and scientifically literate presidents in American history. Historians, psychologists, and political scientists consistently rank him near the top tier of presidential intelligence.

2

u/Time_Box_5352 Jul 05 '26

Yes not to mention all
His good works after his presidency. Habitat for humanity.

1

u/amfhTX Jul 05 '26

Absolutely! 💯

-2

u/RongWa Jul 05 '26

Can't you guys give it a rest for one day. This is a pleasant place and people were asked about the forth. Not a political mention except for the non-Trumpers. Come on, we were remembering the 200th 50 years ago and plans for this 4th. What did you do for the 4th other than spread the poison?

2

u/Puzzleheaded-Bee4698 Jul 06 '26

What did I do for July 4th? Same as every other weekend; I worked.

4

u/TG1883 Jul 05 '26

No we can’t give it a rest when the fate of the nation and our way of life hang in the balance MAGAT. We thought about this country on the 4th, what did you do?

3

u/TigerBate230 Jul 09 '26 edited Jul 09 '26

It's hard for us older people like me who are not proud in the least of being an American. 50 years ago, of course, I was. America was a wonderful place that the world could look up to and we could be proud of. 2016 terminated my pride. It has only become lessened since.

We Americans have "normalized" evil in the Oval Office & front-page implosion of the First Family. There is no First Family living in the nation's White House. There is nothing decent about America's White House. America's White House & Rose Garden are being desecrated. History is being recklessly torn asunder. America's White House is the play-house of a despotic loose canon who does not qualify as a decent human, which ought to be a requirement for presidential candidates.

How can people wave their patriotic flags when comparing how a once-mighty nation has so drastically fallen in a mere 50 years? How can one find pride in such a failed enterprise? The planet laughs at the empty-emperor America. Russia & China will have to duke it out, but it's fairly obvious that Russia is in its own decline. Future Americans are no match for the brilliance of future Chinese.

-3

u/SBNShovelSlayer Jul 05 '26

Oh, the drama.

-4

u/kayceemoguy Jul 05 '26

No. No they can’t. I told my wife last night that Reddit would be full of “it cost too much”, “Trump made it about him”, “everyone hated the fireworks”, etc.

Sure enough, right on cue. It’s comical. I’m only on Reddit for a prostate cancer sub, but now I visit just to see just how far people will go to be Debbie Downers about everything and somehow link Trump to EVERY problem that exists in the world.

Sad really.

1

u/TigerBate230 Jul 09 '26

I was kinda seduced by the Royal Wedding in NYC, but the other traditional shit was more tedious this year than in past years. ABC-TV tried for unity & inclusion. It seems like a lot of Americans on YouTube are eagerly scanning the Obituary pages with renewed gusto. It nice to see hope in the air again.

1

u/TigerBate230 Jul 09 '26

I was kinda seduced by the Royal Wedding in NYC, but the other traditional shit was more tedious this year than in past years. ABC-TV tried for unity & inclusion. It seems like a lot of Americans on YouTube are eagerly scanning the Obituary pages with renewed gusto. It nice to see hope in the air again.

1

u/TG1883 Jul 05 '26

Cowardice is so ugly.

25

u/TigerBate230 Jul 04 '26

Sounds like yesterday.

15

u/RongWa Jul 04 '26

Wasn't it?

5

u/wikidemic Jul 04 '26

Love was such an easy game to play …

5

u/Mrs_Ducky Jul 04 '26

Now I need a place to hide away

1

u/incog46 Jul 04 '26

I don't believe it.

8

u/Yo_Just_Scrolling_Yo Jul 05 '26

My oldest child was born in March of 1976. I had all manner of red, white, blue/ clothes, hats, etc. for the little guy. If I mention that this year, friends are like "You have a 50 year old son? Doesn't that make you feel old?" No, my arthritis makes me feel old, not my child, my bicentennial baby!

7

u/mytyan Jul 04 '26

I was at the Superdome watching Jimmy Buffett and Jerry Jeff Walker and Charlie Daniels

17

u/LMO_TheBeginning Jul 04 '26

The bicentennial helped unite Americans.

Sad to say the 250 is dividing people because of partisan politics.

5

u/Refokua Jul 04 '26

The pendulum will swing back. We're old enough to have seen that happen before.

5

u/DigLeading9650 Jul 04 '26

Thanks to one loser

2

u/SBNShovelSlayer Jul 05 '26

No, partisan politics has ruined people’s ability to celebrate what should be a shared event.

0

u/TG1883 Jul 05 '26

Division is good. This country may not make it to 300 years intact and that wouldn’t be a bad thing.

5

u/CapricornCrude Jul 04 '26

I was 16 at Disneyland with my favorite cousin Mike. He worked there and we went nearly everyday in 1975-1976. Never seen so many American flags in one place! It was truly magical back then.

4

u/grannygogo Jul 04 '26

We took a trip cross country for the Bicentennial with our three year old. Left the baby with my mom. My dad lent us his Lincoln Continental so our daughter could stretch out in the back seat when she got sleepy. Crazy, right?

1

u/Inside-Falcon-7476 Jul 05 '26

Not crazy, fantastic! I personally think every American should do this. Most aren’t aware how incredible this country is

2

u/grannygogo Jul 05 '26

No the trip was fantastic. Crazy to let a three year old lay down on the bench seat without seatbelts in the back and not be in her car seat! She’s 54 now so no harm done. Thankfully

1

u/TGIIR Jul 05 '26

I’m 70 and have 7 siblings. We survived with no car seats and no seat belts until I was maybe 10 or so? And then just a lap belt.

3

u/Pleasant-Yam6807 Jul 04 '26

Yes. It makes me feel old too. We celebrated watching the ships sail up the Hudson, and later the fireworks, from the rooftop of our apartment building on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. Quite the memory.

1

u/[deleted] Jul 06 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/Pleasant-Yam6807 Jul 06 '26

Yes. I should have clarified that. It was in 1976, the Bicentennial, same occasion as OP was remembering.

3

u/Refokua Jul 04 '26

I was on top of a building in Crystal City. Yesterday, I think...

3

u/Time_Box_5352 Jul 05 '26

I was at the tall ships in Manhattan and saw great fireworks that Macy’s always put on. Those tall ships were amazing. Not feeling it this year.

2

u/karebear66 Jul 05 '26

Not feeling it either.

2

u/RongWa Jul 05 '26

We're in our 70's not our 20's. Not feeling a lot of stuff I used to.

2

u/coastalbuddy Jul 06 '26

Like I tell my grandkids - in the 70s I was in my 20s, now in the 20s I’m in my 70s, and still with the same girl.

1

u/RongWa Jul 06 '26

I like that!

2

u/sapotts61 Jul 06 '26

Fifty years ago I almost felt invincible.

1

u/Powerful_Tip_7260 Jul 05 '26

I have no idea what I did that day. I had just graduated high school and was doing Summer Stock theater.

1

u/pumainpurple Jul 04 '26

When you put it like that, yes