The Spirit of 1976
Dear Parents, Grandparents, and Friends of St. Michael’s School,
Since our nation’s inception, over 100 million people have come to the United States from all over the world seeking work, education, freedom, and opportunity, and our country has certainly benefited from the infusion of all of the unique cultures, languages, and traditions immigrants have contributed to our society. Most of us do not fully appreciate all of the blessings we enjoy. We have not experienced extreme poverty, war, or absence of freedoms commonplace in other parts of the world, and we often take for granted our everyday comforts and lives of excess. We are so very lucky to live in this great country, a gift which so many others seek.
On July 4, the United States observed the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Throughout the year, celebrations have occurred nation-wide honoring this significant milestone. Our country’s birthday was also commemorated with a personal faith-filled message from Pope Leo XIV, the first American-born pope. In it, he addressed religious freedom, the God-given dignity of every human life, and gratitude for the contributions of Catholics and immigrants to American history. He also entrusted our nation to the intercession of the Immaculate Conception, who is the patroness of the United States, and he concluded with a hope that "The Spirit of 1776" continues to inspire unity as the country moves forward. (See full letter below).
I was a junior in high school during the bicentennial, and the U.S. celebrated similarly and with great patriotism – reenactments, parades, fireworks, and a parade of ships. Taking a trip down memory lane, in 1976 Gerald Ford was the President and Jimmy Carter won the November election. The economy was improving after a recession in the early '70s. The median home was around $43,000 with the interest rate on a 30-year mortgage fluctuating between 8.75 – 9.0 percent. A gallon of gas was 59 cents and the average income was about $12,500 per year. Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak founded Apple Computer. NASA unveiled its first space shuttle -- the Enterprise, the Pittsburgh Steelers were the Super Bowl champs, and Dorothy Hamill won the gold medal in figure skating at the Winter Olympics in Innsbruck, Austria.
A snapshot of any moment in history will expose ups and downs, successes and failures, good times and bad times, growth and loss. But through it all, it was the people of this great land who remained resolute, filled with hope, courage, and conviction; who relied on God for inspiration, guidance, and protection; and above all, who expressed pride in our nation and pride in being an American.
The future of our country rests in the hands of today’s youth and it is up to each of us – parents, grandparents, and teachers – to inform them about our marvelous history and to instill in them the responsibility of ensuring the United States of America continues to be the greatest nation on Earth.
Deo Gratias, Kathy
