A vintage 1970s Levi’s display, courtesy of #Documerica, on the anniversary of their patent for an “improvement in fastening pocket openings.”
LEVI JEANS DISPLAY CASE
From the Records of the Environmental Protection Agency (12/02/1970-)
Today is the 140th anniversary of the Levi’s jeans patent! Keeping their enduring popularity as a blue jeans company from their establishment through today.
It’s Bike to Work Day! For today’s Flashback Friday post in honor of our exhibit “Searching for the Seventies” we found this DOCUMERICA photo of a bike in El Paso, Texas, in 1972.
“El Paso’s Second Ward, a Chicano Neighborhood, 06/1972”
Danny Lyon, Photographer.Did you have a bike in the 1970s? Did it have a banana seat? Streamers flowing from the handlebars?
“My chrome is shining just like an icicle
I ride around town on my lowrider bicycle…”
(possibly gratuitous but almost certainly requisite Beastie Boys quote)
Congress in the Archives will feature monthly staff posts on our blog. Today’s post comes from Center archivist Kristen Wilhelm.
Forty years ago today self proclaimed “ol’ country lawyer” Senator Sam Ervin stepped onto center stage as chairman of the Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities, better known as the Watergate Committee. Senator Ervin became a household name as an estimated 85% of U.S. households viewed at least some of the hearings broadcast that summer.
Attorney General John Mitchell, shown in the photo, was one of the high-level Nixon administration figures whose testimony was broadcast. For the committee, bringing the hearings directly to the people was vital. As stated in its Final Report: “The full import of the hearings could only be achieved observing the witnesses and hearing their testimony.”
Photograph of Attorney General John Mitchell, 1973, Records of the U.S. Senate
It’s bike to work day!
ARIZONA, 05/1972
Terry Eiler, photographer. From the EPA’s DOCUMERICA series.
(More items from DOCUMERICA are currently on exhibit at the National Archives: “Searching for the Seventies: The DOCUMERICA Photography Project”)
Unfortunately the caption doesn’t tell us much, but we know this smart cyclist remembered his helmet!
Did you bike to work? Tandem? Recumbent? Bikeshare?
VIRGINIA SHEA, LEFT, AND SHARON CARDILLO, ON DOORSTEP OF HOUSE ON NEPTUNE ROAD. THIS IS THE COMMUNITY CLOSEST TO LOGAN AIRPORT, AND RESIDENTS FACE A COMPLEX OF PROBLEMS, FROM AIR AND NOISE POLLUTION TO DWINDLING PROPERTY VALUES. MANY HOUSE EXTERIORS SHOW LACK OF MAINTENANCE. PEOPLE ARE RELUCTANT TO PAY MONEY TO KEEP UP STRUCTURES THEY MAY SOON BE FORCED TO VACATE, 05/1973
From the Records of the Environmental Protection Agency (12/02/1970-)
These ladies exude Seventies style in their bell-bottom jeans.
Source: http://go.usa.gov/2wpH
AFTER A COLD MORNING OF PATROL DUTY POLICE OFFICER SHEARER AND CHIEF ALLEC ENJOY HOT COFFEE AT MAC’S CAFE, 01/1973
From the Records of the Environmental Protection Agency (12/02/1970-)
Today is Peace Officers Memorial Day, also known as Police Week. Take the opportunity to thank law enforcement officers today!
Source: http://go.usa.gov/2wGV
The Prime Crew for the NASA’s First Manned Skylab Mission Meet the Press in a Final Briefing Prior to Isolation for the Coming Launch of Skylab II, 05/01/1973
Skylab, the first American space station, was launched unmanned on May 14, 1973. This photo is of the prime crew for the first manned Skylab mission at a final briefing prior to isolation for the coming launch, which occurred on May 24, 1973. The astronauts are (L. to R.) Charles Conrad Jr., Commander, Paul J. Weitz, Pilot, and Dr. Joseph P. Kerwin, Science Pilot.
Comfort for a small mishap at Lincoln Park… 04/1973
Paul Sequeira, Photographer. From the EPA’s DOCUMERICA Project.
Happy Mother’s Day! Thanks for the comfort for all life’s mishaps, big & small.
May 8 is National Bike to School Day!
SCHOOL CHILDREN, WERE FORCED TO USE THEIR BICYCLES ON FIELD TRIPS DURING THE FUEL CRISIS IN THE WINTER OF 1974. THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH GASOLINE FOR SCHOOL BUSES TO BE USED FOR EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES, EVEN DURING DARK AND RAINY WEATHER, 02/1974
David Falconer, photographer. From the EPA’s DOCUMERICA Series
What did you ride to school? 10 Speed? BMX? Fixie?
BICYCLISTS IN CENTRAL PARK. ON SUNDAYS THE DRIVES THROUGH THE PARK ARE CLOSED TO MOTOR TRAFFIC, AND CYCLISTS BECOME LORDS OF THE ROAD, 05/1973
From the Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. (12/02/1970-)
The DOCUMERICA program captured images of a changing America; here, cyclists take over Central Park for the day. During the 1970s, New York and other American cities experimented with ways to make transportation cleaner and more efficient.
Nowadays, cyclists have more time to enjoy being “lords of the road”; Central Park is closed to motor traffic except during the weekday rush hour.
Source: http://go.usa.gov/2ZNG
BLACK FAMILY ENJOYING THE SUMMER WEATHER AT CHICAGO’S 12TH STREET BEACH ON LAKE MICHIGAN. FROM 1960 TO 1970 THE PERCENTAGE OF CHICAGO BLACKS WITH AN INCOME OF $7,000 OR MORE JUMPED FROM 26 TO 58%. MEDIAN BLACK INCOME DURING THE PERIOD INCREASED FROM $4,700 TO $7,883, BUT THE DOLLAR GAP BETWEEN THEIR GROUP AND THE WHITES ACTUALLY WIDENED, 08/1973
From the Records of the Environmental Protection Agency (12/02/1970-)
Source: http://go.usa.gov/T3WT
Earlier today, the National Archives in Washington, DC hosted Jimmie Walker the actor who played J.J. Evans in the 1970s television show Good Times and the author of Dynomite!: Good Times, Bad Times and Our Times- A Memoir.
Watch the archived webcast here: http://www.ustream.tv/usnationalarchives
Completed 40 years ago in May 1973, Chicago’s Sears Tower (now known as the Willis Tower) was the tallest building in the world, and still reigns as the tallest building in the United States, until the imminent completion of New York’s One World Trade Center.
NEW AMTRAK TURBOLINER…THE NEW SEARS TOWER IS SEEN ON THE SKYLINE. 06/1974
From the EPA’s DOCUMERICA Series
(More items from DOCUMERICA are currently on exhibit at the National Archives: “Searching for the Seventies: The DOCUMERICA Photography Project”)
On May 2, 1970, LeRoy M. Satrom, Mayor of Kent, Ohio, wrote to the Commander of Troops, Ohio National Guard, requesting assistance in restoring order to the city, particularly near Kent State University. On May 4th, National Guard troops fired into a group of student protesters, killing four and wounding nine others. This is a photostatic copy of Mayor Satrom’s letter that was submitted to the President’s Commission on Campus Unrest.
Letter from LeRoy M. Satrom, 5/2/1970
From the Records of the Kent State University Investigative Team
Jimmie Walker got his start performing comedy in small clubs, and ultimately became a 1970s icon playing J.J. Evans on Good Times.
Walker will be talking about his memoir at the National Archives on Friday, May 3, at noon.
He was the first successful young black sitcom star, and his catchphrase—“Dyn-o-mite!”—remains an indicator of the era. In Dynomite!, Walker talks candidly about his rise and the tensions on the set of Good Times that contradict the show’s image of a close-knit blue-collar family.
A book signing will follow the program.
VOLUNTEER GARDENER TENDS TINY FLOWER PLOT ON 62ND STREET BETWEEN PARK AND LEXINGTON AVENUES IN MIDTOWN MANHATTAN. THIS STREET IS ALWAYS GRACES BY ATTRACTIVE, WELL-CARED-FOR PLANTINGS, 04/1973
From the Records of the Environmental Protection Agency (12/02/1970-)
April showers bring May flowers, but it looks like this volunteer gardener is getting a jump on May! Some streets in New York City are adorned with flowers in Spring.
Source: http://go.usa.gov/2vJm
(Suzanne Szasz, photographer)
Also reblogging because I can’t resist the vintage Volvo P1800… -D
