Retro Recipes
This ooey-gooey, dippable cheese became a popular favorite after it was featured in the Switzerland exhibit of the 1964 New York World’s Fair.
What is fondue? The Swiss traditionally eat this treat with crusty bread and a side of wine or tea.
On April 4, 1975, this company was co-founded by Bill Gates and Paul Allen. Answer:
What is Microsoft? The company is still around today and helped popularize personal computers during the 1980s and ’90s
In 1962, this president presented his “Special Message on Education” to Congress, proposing financial aid for children who are disabled, illiterate adults, and other improvements.
Who is John F. Kennedy? In the message, he said that “expanding and improving the educational opportunities of all our people” was the most important task for the nation.
This Hasbro doll was introduced in 1973 and was advertised as “the doll that eats, drinks, and wets.”
What is Baby Alive? The doll swept the nation with its realism and would even get a voice in later versions (much to the annoyance of parents everywhere).
This iconic redheaded comedienne of the 1950s and ’60s was married to Desi Arnaz.
Who is Lucille Ball? She was born on August 6, 1911, in Jamestown, New York, and went on to star in the sitcom I Love Lucy with her real-life husband.
During the 1960s, Swedish meatballs became a wildly popular appetizer, and the most popular gravy choice was this canned soup.
What is cream of mushroom? During the 1960s, Scandinavian design and food were very popular in America.
On April 30, 1975, the conflict in this country came to an end after decades of fighting.
What is Vietnam? North and South Vietnam were reunited after the fall of Saigon in 1975.
This mathematics curriculum of the late 1960s and early ’70s focused on abstract theory.
What is new math? The space race prompted Americans to reexamine how math was taught, and the concept of new math was born. However, by the late 1970s, math classrooms were returning to more traditional curricula.
Kids in the 1970s didn’t have to worry about feeding or walking this pet, invented by Gary Dahl.
What is a pet rock? The fad of pet rocks was fading by the late ’70s, though you can sometimes still find pet rocks for sale today.
This musician, born on August 29, 1958, is known globally as the “King of Pop.”
Who is Michael Jackson? After getting his start in the Jackson 5, he went on to record many hits, including “Thriller” and “Billie Jean.”
This Hormel canned meat product gained popularity during the 1960s as a breakfast side dish and in sandwiches.
What is Spam? The meat product became a staple for troops serving in World War II, and its popularity spread across the globe.
In 1975, she became the first woman elected to lead Britain’s Conservative Party.
Who is Margaret Thatcher? She replaced Edward Heath as the leader of the Conservative Party and earned herself the nickname “The Iron Lady.
On August 18, 1963, James Meredith became the first Black person to earn a bachelor’s degree from this university, also called “Ole Miss.”
What is the University of Mississippi? After graduating, he subsequently earned a law degree. He is remembered as a civil rights activist and politician.
This Atari video game released in 1972 was based on the sport of tennis.
What is Pong? In just two years, Atari had sold over 8,000 Pong games.
This tennis great gained fame as the first Swiss man to win a Grand Slam singles title.
Who is Roger Federer? Born August 8, 1981, he has been a top tennis player since the age of 11 and holds an incredible 20 Grand Slam singles titles.
Throughout the 1960s and ’70s, this two-ingredient appetizer made from Lipton soup mix remained popular. It was sometimes called “California Dip.”
What is Lipton Onion Soup Dip? The surge in Lipton sales led the company to sponsor Arthur Godfrey’s Talent Scouts as a way to advertise their “California Dip.”
This seaside thriller directed by Steven Spielberg was released on June 20, 1975.
What is Jaws? It was based on a novel by Peter Benchley and starred Roy Scheider and Richard Dreyfuss.
In April 1965, this president passed the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), authorizing funding for educational programs, free lunches, and special education.
Who is Lyndon B. Johnson? The ESEA was an integral part of Johnson’s War on Poverty and was intended to provide a high-quality education for all Americans.
Kids in the ’70s loved to play with this flexible latex doll from the Kenner Company.
What is Stretch Armstrong? The toy has made several comebacks throughout the years, including as recently as 2017.
Born August 9, 1963, in Newark, New Jersey, she sang hits such as “I Wanna Dance with Somebody.”
Who is Whitney Houston? The powerhouse singer and fellow musical great Dionne Warwick were cousins.
Sales of this donut-shaped cake pan soared in the late 1960s and early ’70s, after the “Tunnel of Fudge” cake recipe won second place in the 1966 Pillsbury Bake-Off.
What is the Bundt pan? The pan was invented in the 1950s, but sales were dismal until Ella Helfrich devised her Tunnel of Fudge recipe using a Bundt pan.
This athlete became the first Black man to win Wimbledon in July 1975.
Who is Arthur Ashe? He won over 50 tournaments in his career and is remembered as a courageous legend; the U.S. Open’s home court is even named in his honor
This government department began operating on May 4, 1980. The first part of the department’s mission statement is to “Strengthen the Federal commitment to assuring access to equal educational opportunity for every individual.”
What is the Department of Education? It was established by Congress after the Department of Education Organization Act was signed into law by President Carter
This educational toy was a lot more fun than a spelling test, though it taught the same skills.
What is the Speak & Spell? The toy was created by Texas Instruments, a brand often associated with calculators, and had a library of commonly misspelled words to teach children.
This star of films such as Fast Times at Ridgemont High and Mystic River was born on August 17, 1960, in California.
Who is Sean Penn? The actor has won two Oscars for his roles in Milk and Mystic River.