Close Encounters of the Third Kind: How this 1977 sci-fi sensation made aliens seem real
Close Encounters of the Third Kind: How this 1977 sci-fi sensation made aliens seem real
The movie Close Encounters of the Third Kind redefined sci-fi in 1977 and sparked new interest in UFOs, aliens, and government secrets.
Revisit 34 creepy & spooky vintage Halloween TV specials (and other retro horror on television)
Charlie Brown? Check. Grinch? Yep. You can also see how Johnny Depp, Elvira, Martin Lawrence & Tom Hanks got into the holiday spirit years ago on these vintage Halloween TV specials.
History of Pepsi-Cola: See the popular soda brand over the years
Pepsi-Cola history began in a North Carolina drugstore in 1893 and grew through decades of quirky slogans and everyday moments across America.
Scooby Doo magic: Just a derpy dog & meddling kids out there saving the world
Scooby Doo fans, here’s how a goofy cartoon dog and his mystery-solving gang turned a 1969 TV debut into decades of iconic pop culture moments.
Vintage Halloween costume patterns from the 70s: Popular styles you could sew and make
See how Halloween costume patterns from the 1970s helped families sew creative costumes with superheroes, animals, and more homemade classics.
Jackie Gleason’s wild ride: How ‘The Great One’ shaped tv comedy (1940s-80s)
Jackie Gleason — born Herbert Walton Gleason Jr. on February 26, 1916, in Brooklyn — became one of America’s most recognizable personalities by mixing bold
The sit-in movement: Why taking a seat became a powerful stand for justice (1960s)
Explore how the sit-in movement began, spread, and reshaped the civil rights struggle—plus a look back with the students who started it in Greensboro.
Shirley Temple’s impressive second act started way beyond the silver screen (1946)
Shirley Temple rose from Hollywood child star to political powerhouse. Here's how she spent her life after leaving the big screen behind.
Popular 1970s restaurants & the rise of fast food culture
Explore 1970s restaurants: fast food boom, sit-down spots with flair and photos showing how America dined in the ’70s.
Buick Skylark history: How this classic car kept adapting with the times (1960s-90s)
See the history of the Buick Skylark from the ’60s to the ’90s, with vintage photos and ads that show how this classic car kept changing with the times.
The Sting movie: How Robert Redford & Paul Newman pulled off cinematic magic (1973)
Find out about The Sting, a 1973 film set in the '30s - the story of two conmen out to trick a mob boss - that won 7 Academy Awards.
Hilarious vintage ads from the ‘60s to ‘80s show how brands used humor, awkward charm, and bold claims to sell just about anything.
How Candice Bergen made being famous look like the least interesting thing about her
Candice Bergen grew up Hollywood royalty, dodged the spotlight, then became a star on her own terms -- see her early career and offbeat rise to fame.
Popular teen fashions by decade: How clothes told your entire high school story in the 1920s-70s
Explore teen fashions through the decades and see how high school style shaped identity, cliques, and culture from the 1930s to the 1970s.
Space Fidgit: The pocket-sized cosmic craze from the 1970s & 80s kids couldn’t put down
Remember that little toy from the 70s where you pressed on the back with your finger and it changed colors? Find out about Space Fidgits here.
Fantastic retro 1970s bathroom decor ideas that are wonderfully weird & totally real
Explore real 1970s bathroom decor with wild colors, bold patterns and sunken tubs that made home bathrooms totally unforgettable.
Cracker Jack: The sweet history behind Cracker Jack prizes & the popular old popcorn treat
Cracker Jack became a pop culture icon with its caramel popcorn, peanuts and surprise prizes. See how this vintage snack won America's heart.
Romper Room made preschool fun before anyone else did
Romper Room brought preschool to TV screens across America -- explore how this unique show shaped early childhood learning for millions of kids.
Keds through the decades: How this cool all-American shoe became a classic (1920s-80s)
Keds sneakers have been a go-to for generations. See how this classic shoe evolved from 1916 to the 1980s with vintage styles, ads and fun throwbacks.
What were the most popular dog names from the 1950s through the 70s? Find out!
Discover the most popular dog names from the 1950s to the 1970s, collected from vintage records, contests and real-life hero pups.
Instant Quaker oatmeal: How this warm & easy breakfast became a family favorite (1965)
In 1965, Instant Quaker Oatmeal hit grocery store shelves, and so was born a popular hot breakfast cereal that has lasted more than 50 years.
Helen Reddy & the California dream: Her cozy 70s home & star-studded life
In both 1975 and 1978, singer Helen Reddy took national magazine photographers on tours of her California home, which was full of music, plants and country charm. Here's a look inside!
Free to Be… You and Me & the famous friends who made it unforgettable (1970s)
Discover how Free to Be... You and Me brought big stars, bold ideas and timeless songs together to inspire a generation of kids in the 1970s.
Ruby Slipper bundt cake recipe, plus how to make an easy orange jello pound cake (1978)
Ruby Slipper Jello bundt cake is a retro 1970s dessert with raspberry swirls baked in for flavor and fun, topped with a simple powdered sugar finish.
Vintage Breakfast Squares made mornings easier in the 70s (and were basically dessert)
General Mills' vintage Breakfast Squares from the 70s promised a complete meal in two frosted bars — though sugar and shortening topped the ingredient list.
Vintage McDonald’s: See 5 decades of the worlds’ most famous fast food chain
Step back in time with vintage McDonald’s photos, menus and ads from the 1950s through the 1990s, capturing decades of classic fast food history.
Village Lip Lickers: Why this retro lip balm from the 70s & 80s still sparks happy memories
Remember Village Lip Lickers? These retro flavored lip gloss tins from the ‘70s and ‘80s are back in the spotlight with a nostalgic look at their history.
Janis Joplin and the loud, wild ride that changed rock forever (1970)
Janis Joplin's explosive career burned bright and fast. See how her raw voice, blues roots and wild lifestyle shaped a rock era that still echoes today.
WKRP in Cincinnati: The hilarious sitcom that turned radio chaos into comedy gold (1978)
Revisit WKRP in Cincinnati, the classic sitcom about a misfit radio crew, with cast photos, fun facts and a look back at its unforgettable TV moments.
Presidential physical fitness award memories will take you straight back to gym class (1966-1987)
Take a nostalgic look back at the Presidential Physical Fitness Award, the school tests, badges, and certificates that defined PE class from the 1960s to 1980s.
Toot-A-Loop mania: Panasonic’s wild radio bracelet kids wore in the 70s (& other wacky designs)
Far out! Check out these vintage portable radios - like the Panasonic Toot-A-Loop and others from the seventies that came in crazy shapes and colors.
Sour cream pudding pound cake: Retro recipe from 1977
Turn a regular cake mix into a really rich and moist sour cream pudding pound cake with some Jell-o lemon instant pudding mix. Here's the retro recipe!
Dr Pepper history: How the famous soft drink made a big name for itself starting in 1885
Explore Dr Pepper history from its quirky origin story to its fizzy rise as America’s oldest major soft drink.
How to do the bold disco dancing moves from the ’70s: The Hustle, Bump, Walk, Foxy Trot and more
Disco dancing was characterized by a casual, controlled, rhythmic movement of the whole body, with a pulsing vertical motion through the knees. Try some of the top moves!
Battlestar Galactica took off in 1978 with big stars and even bigger ambitions
Battlestar Galactica launched in 1978 with bold ideas and big effects but lasted just one season. See how it made TV history before it was even canceled.
Saturday Night Fever flashback: How John Travolta turned disco into unforgettable movie magic (1977)
John Travolta's charismatic moves in Saturday Night Fever didn't just light up the dance floor -- they ignited a cultural craze. Let's revisit the phenomenon!
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Note: ClickAmericana.com features authentic historical information, and is not intended to represent current best practices on any topic, particularly with regard to health and safety, but also in terms of outdated cultural depictions and social values. Material on this site is provided for purposes of education, criticism, commentary, cultural reporting, entertainment, historical reference, and news reporting/analysis. Also, as an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Now that you know, have fun looking around!
