Invented in the ’70s
This table tennis-inspired video game was invented by Atari employees in 1972.
What is Pong? The first Pong machine was installed in a bar in Sunnyvale, California, and was so popular that the machine broke down. The reason? The coin reservoir was overflowing with quarters and couldn’t take any more.
Charlotte Stewart played Laura Ingalls’ teacher on this TV show.
What is Little House on the Prairie? For her portrayal of schoolteacher Eva Beadle, Stewart was nominated for a TV Land “Teacher of the Year” award.
“_______ Takes Oath as 40th President, Promises an ‘Era of National Renewal,’” reads the New York Times front page on January 21, 1981
Who is Reagan? The inauguration ceremony was the first to be held on the western front of the Capitol.
This television series stars Alan Alda, Wayne Rogers, and Loretta Swit at a mobile Army hospital.
What is M*A*S*H? The series premiered on September 17, 1972, and ran for 11 years.
This is the number of rotations Earth makes in a day
What is one? It takes 23 hours, 56 minutes, and 4.2 seconds for a complete rotation on its axis.
In 1970, this popcorn mogul unveiled his hybrid strain of gourmet popping corn.
Who is Orville Redenbacher? His namesake popcorn was lighter and fluffier than anything else on the market. It took him nearly 20 years to develop.
Some of the Little Rascals had a crush on this schoolteacher.
Who is Miss Crabtree? She was played by June Marlowe and was one of the show’s most popular characters despite appearing in only six shorts.
A headline from July 30, 1981: “Amid Splendor, Charles Weds _______.”
Who is Diana? Newspapers around the world reported on the royal wedding at St. Paul’s Cathedral.
This 1987 thriller stars Glenn Close and Michael Douglas.
What is Fatal Attraction? The movie was released on September 18 and was one of the highest-grossing films of the year worldwide.
The United States might switch to year-round observation of this type of time that we currently observe between the second Sunday in March and the first Sunday in November
What is daylight saving time (DST)? The Sunshine Protection Act was passed in the U.S. Senate, and it will keep us on DST year-round if it passes the U.S. House of Representatives.
This simple and beloved toy that gets kicked around was invented in 1972 by friends Mike Marshall and John Stalberger.
What is a hacky sack? The hacky sack game is also called footbag.
This show of the ’70s stars Gabe Kaplan as the titular teacher, trying to keep up with the antics of the “Sweathogs.”
What is Welcome Back, Kotter? Farrah Fawcett was considered for the role of Mrs. Kotter until producers decided audiences wouldn’t buy her as Kaplan’s wife.
From January 29, 1986: “Space Shuttle __________ Explodes Shortly After Lift Off.”
What is Challenger? After the explosion, crew members’ families founded the Challenger Center for Space Science Education program.
This actress known for Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In, 9 to 5, and Grace and Frankie was born on September 1, 1939.
Who is Lily Tomlin? She originally majored in pre-med before starting stand-up comedy and choosing acting as a career.
This round, outdoor timepiece tells time on sunny days.
What is sundial? When a sundial is properly oriented, it is accurate to within five minutes.
Arthur Fry of the 3M company invented this re-stickable stationery item as a bookmark for his hymnal.
What is the Post-it Note? The adhesive Fry used was invented by fellow 3M scientist Dr. Spencer Silver.
Helen Crump was Opie’s teacher (and later, dated his dad!) on this 1960s show.
What is The Andy Griffith Show? Writers intended her to appear for only one episode but were so impressed with Aneta Corsaut’s portrayal that they gave her a larger role.
From the Daily News Tonight on January 20, 1981: “Free! _____ lets 52 go home as Reagan is sworn in.
What is Iran? The freed Americans were met in Germany by former President Carter
David Hasselhoff stars as Michael Knight in this television series, along with K.I.T.T.
What is Knight Rider? The series premiered on September 26, 1982, and was rebooted in 2008.
Our calendar is called the Gregorian calendar. It used to be this calendar.
What is Julian? In 1752, the United Kingdom and its colonies—including the United States and Canada—dropped 11 days from the calendar. It took from 1582 to 1923 for all countries to switch to the Gregorian calendar, with countries dropping from 10 to 13 days. Currently, the world is 13 days behind the Julian calendar
This Hungarian teacher and puzzle lover invented his famous puzzle cube in 1974
Who is Erno Rubik? Since 2003, the World Cube Association has hosted contests to see who can solve a Rubik’s cube the fastest.
Theodore Cleaver had quite the crush on his second-grade teacher, Miss Canfield, in this beloved TV series.
What is Leave It to Beaver? Diane Brewster reprised her role in the 1983 TV movie Still the Beaver.
From the Seattle Times on May 19, 1980: “________ still spewing ash, but scientists believe worst is over.”
What is St. Helens? The 1980 explosion sparked advances in our understanding of volcano science and improved scientists’ ability to predict volcanic eruptions.
Released in the United States in August 1971, And Now for Something Completely Different is an anthology of comedic sketches from this British comedy group.
What is Monty Python? The group included Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, and Michael Palin.
This takes time to reach our eyes, so every sunset you see now is in the past.
What is light? When you see a sunset, it’s a little more than eight minutes old.