1976 Live

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Live-posting as a reporter embedded in history. Curated by @MannyMarotta. Companion to @100YearsAgoLive, @25YearsAgoLive, and @250YearsAgoLive. DM for business.

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1976 Live

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The last British soldiers withdraw from Singapore.

Margaret Hamilton, who played the Wicked Witch of the West in 1939’s Wizard of Oz, appears on an episode of Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood and explains to children how she transformed into the witch, and how they shouldn’t be scared of the character.

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Singer Eduard Khil sings a folk song on Soviet state television: “I Am Glad, As I Am Finally Returning Home Again.” There are no lyrics, but rather a “Tro-lo-loling” that’s quite pleasing to the ears.

A new Schoolhouse Rock episode, “I’m Just a Bill,” premieres on ABC. The episode features an anthropomorphic bill swooning on Capitol Hill, and is meant to teach children about the legislative process.

Air France launches once-weekly Concorde service between Paris and Caracas, Venezuela. Hundreds of Venezuelans turn out to watch the inaugural sunset landing.

George Lucas is reportedly testing new “laser sword” props for his upcoming film “The Star Wars.”

The Academy sends a TV crew to Pickfair Manor to speak with soon-to-be 84-year-old retired Hollywood actress Mary Pickford, offering the public a rare view into the reclusive Manor. On the eve of the Academy Awards, Pickford is awarded an honorary Oscar. Here is her reaction:

Before a crowd of 100,000 people at England’s Wembley Stadium, Manchester City beats Newcastle United 2-1 to capture the Football League Cup.

French President Valéry Giscard d’Estaing arrives for a state visit to the United States, landing in a Concorde at Andrews Air Force Base, marking the first time that a Concorde has ever come to the Washington, DC area.

“Sufferin’ Till Suffrage,” a new Schoolhouse Rock special, premieres on ABC.

It’s noon on 30 April in Saigon. The North Vietnamese Army has almost completely taken the city. A lone PAVN tank crashes through the gates of the Presidential Palace and its crew raises the flag of the Viet Cong over the building. The Vietnam War is over.

Nadia Comaneci, a 14-year-old gymnast from Romania, achieves the first-ever perfect 10 rating as she finishes first in the qualifying round of the American Cup international competition at Madison Square in New York City.

It’s a surreal environment: as the slow crooner Christmas music plays, staff scurry around burning documents and helicopters land as tens of thousands of refugees plea for entry.

President of South Vietnam Duong Văn Minh has reportedly personally surrendered to a North Vietnamese officer, Colonel Bui Van Tung. According to Tung, Minh tried to reopen negotiations on the spot, to which Tung replied “your power has crumbled. You cannot give up what you do not have.”

Margaret Hamilton, who played the Wicked Witch of the West in 1939’s Wizard of Oz, appears on an episode of Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood and explains to children how she transformed into the witch, and how they shouldn’t be scared of the character.

“The Preamble,” a Schoolhouse Rock special about the U.S. Constitution, is released.

The Soviet Union holds massive parades in observance of the 58th anniversary of its 7 November 1917 revolution.