1970's

We're going thru the whole process of dropping off our youngest daughter at North Central University in Minneapolis and getting her room all set up -- buying all the little last minute items she needs -- refrigerator stuff, cleaning supplies, make-up, odds-and-ends, more make-up, etc ...

And sitting here in the Commons area watching the new students come in and out with their parents ... goodness, they just look so young. They're the future -- the church of tomorrow -- who we're going to eventually pass this big baton to -- but goodness, they just look young.

It kind of took me back to 1977 when I hit the college campus for the first time. I'm sure I looked young, too. Wish I still did. I'm a child of the late '50's, but really a product of my teen years, the 1970's. So much has changed, of course, as it should. But it is cause for reminiscing today.

A PORTRAIT OF THE 1970's:

Average annual income - $7,564

Prime Interest rate - 7.7%

National Debt - $382 billion

Eggs - 61 cents per dozen

Milk - 31 cents per gallon

Bread - 24 cents per loaf

In 1971, the voting age was lowered to 18.

In 1973, Nixon admitted his role in Watergate and resigned as U.S. President.

In 1975, the speed limit on the nation's highways was lowered to 55 mph (and later raised).

In 1976, the nation's bicentennial -- and Vietnam is reunited.

In 1977, Elvis Presley dies.

In 1978, 100,000 march on Washington, D.C. in support of the Equal Rights Amendment -- and 900 die in Jonestown, Guyana, drinking Kook-Aid following cult leader Jim Jones.

In 1979, the nuclear accident at Three Mile Island, Pennyslvania occured -- and 62 Americans are taken hostage in Iran.

FADS AND TRENDS:

The Jesus Movement & Jesus Freaks

Pinball machines & Smiley faces

CB radios, mood rings, pet rocks

Disco music & the hustle

Farrah Fawcett-Majors posters

College toga parties

Hacky sacks & Rubik's cubes

Atari video games

NEW TECHNOLOGIES AND INVENTIONS:

Floppy disks

Pocket calculators

Betamax videocassette recorders

Manned SKYLAB

Just a personal trip down 'memory lane' today with you.

And be blessed.