Cushing marked America’s 200th birthday with fireworks, contests and hometown pride

Archived 1976 newspaper pages show a city busy with celebration, civic debate and everyday life 

CUSHING — Fifty years ago, Cushing was getting ready for a birthday party.

Not just any birthday party, either. In the summer of 1976, as the United States prepared to celebrate its 200th birthday, Cushing joined communities across the country in planning a Bicentennial celebration filled with firew…