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THIS DAY IN HISTORY
Were the 60s Happier Days?
A Kinder, Happier Nostalgia-Happy Days
In 1974, The US was enduring turbulent times with race relations, the war in Vietnam, and an inflation rate of 10.3 by December. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger was pursuing peace in the Middle East. During the summer months, America was on edge with Watergate, impeachment and charges against President Richard Nixon.
Television history and American popular culture were soon going to swerve back into the 1960s nostalgia with Happy Days. The show began in January and was on for 11 seasons.
As we look back on this history, it is easy to see why this show was so popular. Not only did it reflect popular culture, it created new popular culture in the US in “The Fonz,” Arthur Fonzarelli.
Happy Days was about family, friends and a future for the teenagers in the show. Happy Days were just that, a simpler, happier time in American history. It reflected when innocent teenagers Richie Cunningham and friends were perfectly content sitting around Arnolds Malt Shop.
