As we party on America’s 250th birthday, some are reminiscing about ‘76. No, not 1776 but 1976. Back when things were ‘groovy,’ and we were trying to 'keep on truckin'' while talking on our CB radios. While America was celebrating the bicentennial, our government dropped some cash (and apparently some acid) to produce a very trippy historical timeline cartoon.
Be sure to enjoy this funky film by the light of your lava lamp. (WATCH - FLASHING IMAGE WARNING)
For the United States Bicentennial in 1976, the government funded one of the wildest short films ever made.
— Time Capsule Tales (@timecaptales) July 1, 2026
Created by animator Vincent Collins & produced by the United States Information Agency, the film goes on a kaleidoscopic journey through iconic
American symbols. pic.twitter.com/26O0lFQue7
That was somebody on drugs, making it for everyone else on drugs
— Tammy Why Not (@CatOnTheFridge) July 2, 2026
So, am I the only who thinks animator Vincent Collins appears to have been a fan of acid/ magic mushrooms?
— ioki jo (@iokijo) July 2, 2026
We wouldn’t be surprised if Timothy Leary ‘consulted’ on this, if you know what we mean.
Posters say the psychedelic project reminds them of the pop art style that was widely used in the late 60s and early 70s.
I lived and loved the 70’s!!! Pretty obvious he was tripping on acid while watching the Yellow Submarine when he made this video. pic.twitter.com/H9USyGUPXs
— 👑 Queen of Common Sense (@QueenHasSpoken_) July 2, 2026
The Yellow Submarine style of animation was big in the 70s.
— HypotenuseSquared (@HypotenuseQuad) July 2, 2026
Very Peter Max.
— vladROBOT🪱 (@vvladROBOT) July 2, 2026
Wish they had enlisted album artist Roger Dean to bring this short film closer to the edge.
Some of the historical touchpoints baffled online viewers.
Can anyone explain this 😒 pic.twitter.com/BO7EkhbYaN
— Lili (@LiliSohva) July 2, 2026
Looks kind of like Lou Jacobs to me. pic.twitter.com/wrZzMc0Zb6
— Alice the Rat (@alicetherat) July 2, 2026
The Circus was a big thing in the 70s, everyone went to Ringling Bros. at least once every summer. It's a clown.
— 🐦⬛ K.P. Lovecraft (@farm_fox69634) July 2, 2026
Traveling circuses are largely seen as an American institution.
Commenters say unless you experienced the 1970s, it’s hard to explain much of what was popular at the time.
Unless you lived during the 70's it's really hard to describe how fun & wacky that era truly was!
— ☘️ TracyLinco 🌊 (@TracyLinco) July 2, 2026
Actually it was a blast!
The “I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing” Coke ad was another highlight. Also, HR Pufnstuf! People don’t know how great the 70’s really were.
— Scott Camp vs. 2022 (@scottytaco) July 2, 2026
I loved HR Pufnstuf. Wish they’d bring all the things you mentioned back! 😀
— ☘️ TracyLinco 🌊 (@TracyLinco) July 2, 2026
Sid and Marty Krofft were pioneers in American children’s television programming despite being from Canada.
One poster disagrees, saying it’s easy to sum up the 1970s thanks to this weird patriotic short film.
1976. The US government hires a bunch of Dead Heads to celebrate America. Create something so 1976 that it gives us all flashbacks. Want to know what the ’70s were like? That’s it in under 5 minutes. Far out, man. pic.twitter.com/d7boqAgTgs
— Jan Bear (@janvbear) July 2, 2026
Far out, man. 🤣
— pmcall ⏳Pardon Assange & Snowden - FreeAafia (@pmcall) July 2, 2026
Groovy
— RayLRiv (@RayLRiv1) July 2, 2026
That cartoon was outta sight! Stay solid, America!
