Military spending in the world skyrockets to $300 billion a year.
The Winter Olympics are held in Innsbruck, Austria.
Barbara Walters is the first broadcaster to be offered a $1 million per-year contract to cohost the nightly news.
Racial violence in black townships outside of Johannesburg, South Africa, is the worst in 15 years.
Jimmy Carter, a "born-again" Baptist from Georgia, is the presidential nominee of the Democratic Party.
From coast to coast, the United States celebrates its 200th birthday.
Gymnast Nadia Comaneci of Romania is the darling of the Summer Olympics in Montreal. (Even the theme music played during her performances, released as a single, goes gold).
In Philadelphia 28 people die of a mysterious virus dubbed "Legionnaire's disease."
In a close election, Jimmy Carter is elected president over incumbent Gerald Ford.
Austrian Kurt Waldheim begins serving his second term as secretary general of the United Nations.

"Disco Lady" - Johnnie Taylor (First chart appearance: 3/6/76; Highest position: #1)
"Don't Go Breaking My Heart" - Elton John and Kiki Dee (7/17/76; #1)
"Play That Funky Music" - Wild Cherry (7/31/76; #1)
"Tonight's The Night" - Rod Stewart (10/23/76; #1)
"Kiss and Say Goodbye" - The Manhattans (5/29/76; #1)
"Silly Love Songs" - Paul McCartney and Wings (4/17/76; #1)
"A Fifth Of Beethoven" - Walter Murphy (7/4/76; #1)
"Love Machine (Part 1)" - The Miracles (12/13/75; #1)
"50 Ways To Leave Your Lover" - Paul Simon (1/3/76; #1)
"December, 1963 (Oh, What A Night)" - The 4 Seasons (1/31/76; #1)