This article examines how American newspaper comic strips commemorated the 1976 United States Bicentennial and what they reveal about national memory during a period of political and social change. Rather than simply celebrating the 200th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the Bicentennial reflected the tensions of the “Age of Limits,” shaped by the Vietnam War, civil rights movements, economic uncertainty, and growing political polarization. US popular culture then unsurprisingly emphasized patriotic celebration more than historical reflection. The article focuses on newspaper comic strips, a major form of popular culture in 1976. The forty-four Sunday strips published on July 4, 1976 that explicitly referenced the Bicentennial are classified in four categories according to their treatment of national memory. The largest group portrays traditional Fourth of July festivities, such as parades, fireworks, and historical reenactments. A second group relies on patriotic symbols, including the American flag and iconic images of the Revolution. A third category openly celebrates American identity through patriotic messages, while a fourth presents more critical perspectives, questioning the nation’s founding ideals in light of racial inequality, social conflict, and contemporary political issues. The study concludes that most newspaper comics privileged the familiar rituals of Independence Day over the historical events of 1776. Although a minority expressed dissenting views, the majority transformed the Bicentennial into a reassuring, family-oriented celebration. These comic strips therefore illustrate how popular culture both reinforced and subtly contested American national identity, reflecting the contradictions of the United States during the Bicentennial year.
For further reading, see Jean-Paul Gabilliet's special issue in Neuvième art