1977

I created a list of events from the year that I was born and the year that Todd was born to post with newspapers from those dates. It was easy since we were both born in the same year.

I found some facts quite interesting.

For example, on Apr. 21st the Broadway play “Annie” opened. It was the first of 2,377 performances on the big stage. It seems ironic to me since for so much of my elementary-aged years I could have been an Annie look-a-like.

Actually, I still remember my mother saying to me, “If you could sing better, we might make some money off of you.” Maybe so, but the first time I sang solo in front of a crowd — which I believe was at a church service in Pennsboro — I cried and didn’t finish my crooning.

Still, my mother made me “the Annie dress.” Some of you may remember it as being red and white. I even have that dress on in a family picture taken nearly a few decades ago.

It appears Annie was the best option for my birth year. After all, the Coneheads debuted on “Saturday Night Live” in January of that year. I guess I’d rather look like Annie.

The year saw a switch in politics from U.S. President Gerald Ford to Jimmy Carter. On Jan. 19th of that year, Ford pardoned Iva Toguri D’Aquino, better known to U.S. troops as Tokyo Rose, from her acts of treason during World War II.

It was a year of space discovery as well when Soyuz 24 launched two cosmonauts into space in February. A little over a week later, the first space shuttle, Enterprise, makes its maiden flight (carried atop a Boeing 747), over the Mojave Desert. But it wasn’t always about the world beyond our atmosphere. The USSR also performed nuclear tests in the same month.

Other activities included Alain Prieur jumping his motorcycle 65 meter over 16 buses, near Paris. Meanwhile, a Nova Scotia fisherman caught a 20.2 kg lobster — the world’s heaviest known crustacean. Dr. Allen Bussey made his name while completing 20,302 yo-yo loops; Sabra Starr finished the longest recorded belly dance (100 hours).

In the world of entertainment, Fleetwood Mac’s “Rumours” album released. The Rolling Stones made the news in a different manner as Keith Richards was arrested in Toronto and charged with possession of heroin with intent to traffic and possession of cocaine.

Future “Tonight Show” host Jay Leno debuted with host Johnny Carson. “Eight is Enough” premieres on ABC-TV.

In a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court allowed lawyers to advertise. Aren’t we all grateful for that? Also, in March Bank of America adopted a new name for their credit cards: VISA. Again, aren’t we grateful?

Vietnam finally handed over MIA to the United States. But it wasn’t about peace. The U.S. restricted citizens from visiting Cuba, Vietnam, North Korea and Cambodia.

The NBC News and Information Service (which operated 24 hours) ended on radio. The first personal computer, the Apple II, went on sale. Radio Shack announced the TRS-80 computer; within weeks, thousands were ordered. Television viewer discretion warnings began.

Regarding famous folks: James Earl Ray escaped from prison, and three members of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s rock band died in a plane crash. To the dismay of many, Elvis Presley died at the age of 42.

I also discovered that the Plymouth Horizon was introduced in December. It was the first American-made small car with front-wheel drive. Technical advances in drive technology had reduced the size and cost of front-wheel drive systems. Some 16 years later, it would be my first car to drive.

1977: when a new house averaged $49,300; average annual income was $15,000, and a gallon of gas cost 65¢.

Wow! Now if only I knew how well Annie aged ...