Bicentennial: A Revolutionary History of the 1970s

by Marc Stein

As the United States marks its semiquincentennial in 2026, renowned historian Marc Stein looks back at the politics of another landmark celebration during a time of striking similarities and surprising the US bicentennial in 1976.
 
In the aftermath of Vietnam and Watergate, the bicentennial sparked an extraordinary national conversation about the country’s past, present, and future. As patriots, planners, profiteers, and protesters argued about how to commemorate the national birthday, they collectively reimagined the promises and perils of democracy during a transformational decade.

From award-winning historian Marc Stein, A Revolutionary History of the 1970s is an original, illuminating, and insightful study of that era. While focusing on festivities and fights in Philadelphia, the nation’s birthplace, the book also explores the many proposed and abandoned celebrations that percolated up around the country. It tells a broadly democratic story of both the “official” bicentennial and counter-bicentennial activism, offering revolutionary perspectives on national politics, social movements, and popular culture. From the queer courtship of President Richard Nixon and Philadelphia Mayor Frank Rizzo to parades and protests with millions of participants, and from a deadly outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease at Philadelphia’s most prestigious hotel to the establishment of groundbreaking African American, ethnic, and Jewish museums, the bicentennial reveals a kaleidoscope of American peculiarities, problems, and possibilities.

The lasting influence of 1976 on one of the nation’s great urban centers and the United States as a whole is undeniable. As the nation—once again enmeshed in political and social upheaval—marks its two-hundred-fiftieth birthday in 2026, there is no better time to look back at its two-hundredth and marvel at what has changed, and what has not.

416 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication March 17, 2026

Reviews

[Rebecca Brenner Graham]

a long book giving new meaning to the ‘long bicentennial’ thick with research and thoroughly illustrating a colorful & complicated bicentennial era, with geographic emphasis on Philadelphia. though a heavy lift to make it from cover to cover, undoubtedly a must-read for anybody interested in commemoration of the American Revolution

[Chelsea Knowles · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.*

Bicentennial focuses on the 200th anniversary of American independence which was in 1976. The bicentennial took place in the aftermath of Vietnam and Watergate. People started to question what true patriotism means and if the celebration of the bicentennial was representative of American society. This book only discusses the bicentennial and topics include the relationship between Richard Nixon and Frank Rizzo as well as how the bicentennial was celebrated in Philadelphia by American citizens. The participation of Native Americans, African Americans, women and the LGBTQIA+ community in the bicentennial is discussed in this.

This book arrives at the perfect time with the semiquincentennial in 2026 and the 250th anniversary of American Independence. This book is written well and it is clear a lot of research has been done for this book. This was interesting and I think this is very timely regarding how some citizens will feel in 2026 and the spectacle that could be made with the current administration. This was good and I will be recommending this, it is very niche and I appreciated the insights this author provided on the bicentennial.