CBS’s Bicentennial Minutes aired 912 episodes from 1974 through 1976.
The series began on July 4, 1974, and was originally planned to conclude on July 4, 1976. CBS extended it until December 31, 1976, allowing the feature to continue for the rest of the Bicentennial year. The extension produced a total of 912 one-minute episodes.
The segments were short historical lessons rather than conventional full-length programs. A narrator introduced a person or event from the American Revolution, often using the formula “Two hundred years ago today,” before closing with a recognizable news-style sign-off.
The final episode was narrated by President Gerald Ford and was also the longest Bicentennial Minute. The July 3 segment had been narrated by Vice President Nelson Rockefeller, while First Lady Betty Ford narrated the July 4 segment. These broadcasts helped make the 1976 anniversary visible in everyday television schedules.