1976 – MONTH BY MONTH
JANUARY CONCORDE’S FIRST COMMERCIAL FLIGHT
Two Concordes simultaneously depart at 11.40am on 21 January – a BA flight from London to Bahrain and an Air France flight from Paris to Rio de Janeiro via Dakar. It was the supersonic aircraft’s first flight with paying customers, having had its maiden test flight in 1969.
FEBRUARY THE OPENING OF THE NATIONAL EXHIBITION CENTRE
On 2 February HM The Queen opened the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham. The first event was the International Spring Fair. Two years later it hosted the first International Motor Show.
MARCH PM ANNOUNCES HIS RESIGNATION
Harold Wilson informs the press and the public of his decision to resign as the Prime Minister on 16 March, which would become effective from 5 April. He was two years into his fourth term as PM, and had been Labour leader for 13. The announcement shocked press and public.
APRIL THE DEATH OF SIDNEY JAMES
South Africa’s favourite Cockney dies of a heart attack on 26 April while performing in a play at the Sunderland Empire Theatre. British light entertainment was never quite the same again.
MAY SOUTHAMPTON WINS THE FA CUP
Loud rejoicing could be heard from Millbrook to Midanbury on 1 May, when Bobby Stokes scored the crucial goal that gave the Second Division team 1-0 victory over Manchester United.
JUNE BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY ‘GOES GOLD’
On 3 June, the Queen song that appeared to have been Number One approximately forever (ask anyone who was around in
1976 and they will concur) achieved gold record status.
JULY JIMMY CARTER NOMINATED FOR US PRESIDENT
At the Democratic Party’s National Convention on 15 July, peanut farmer Jimmy Carter, the former Governor of Georgia, is nominated for US President. The elections were staged on 2 November, when dark horse Carter beats President Gerald Ford, who been in the White House since August ‘74.
AUGUST BRITAIN’S FIRST WOMAN FIREFIGHTER
The 21 August was the day that Mary Langdon became the first female peacetime firefighter in the UK. She served with the East Sussex Fire Brigade at its station in Battle.
SEPTEMBER VIKING 2 SPACECRAFT LANDS ON MARS
NASA’s Viking 2 vessel makes touchdown at 1558hrs on 3 September in a region of Mars known as Utopia Planitia. It is NASA’s second landing on the Red Planet.
OCTOBER INTERCITY 125 IN SERVICE
The advent of the 125 rail service (so-called because it could travel at 125mph) between Paddington and Bristol on 4 October was seen by many as heralding an era of punctual, highspeed services. It was a nice dream…
NOVEMBER BANK ROBBERS JAILED FOR 100 YEARS
On 16 Noveber the seven men who took part in the £8 million raid on the Bank of America’s branch in Mayfair receive sentences that amounted to almost a century. Passing sentence, Judge Alan King-Hamilton says he is determined the thieves will not enjoy the fruits of their haul.
DECEMBER PUNK ROCKERS UTTER NAUGHTY WORDS ON ITV
After the Sex Pistols utter obscenities on 1 December edition of Thames Television regional news programme Today one viewer smashes his TV set. Mr J Rotten enquires if he was unaware of the ‘off’ button.