Chronicle Volume 1976

For three decades, the East-West confrontation determined the global political climate. In 1976, new issues emerged: global dangers for all of humanity became increasingly important to the public, including the population explosion and the threat to livelihoods posed by increasing environmental pollution. In 1976, however, the majority of the West German population was more concerned with economic and social problems. Securing their prosperity was more important than global threats. In 1976, political upheavals took place on various continents. Democracy continued to spread in Europe. Against the resistance of reactionary groups and accompanied by social tensions, Spain began to abandon dictatorship and establish a parliamentary-democratic form of government. After the end of the military dictatorship in Greece two years ago, liberal-democratic conditions prevailed in Europe - with the exception of the Eastern Bloc countries. In 1976, the Chinese Empire was shaken by political unrest and internal party power struggles. The death of the "Great Chairman" Mao Tse-tung marks the end of a political era. A tragic feature of 1976 is the numerous natural disasters: a devastating earthquake in northeast China claims more than 650,000 lives; in the northern Italian province of Friuli, around 1,000 people are killed in tremors. The sporting highlights of 1976 include the Winter and Summer Olympic Games. Athletes from the Federal Republic achieve outstanding performances. The outstanding cultural event of 1976 is provided by the young French director Patrice Chéreau with the new Bayreuth production of Richard Wagner's "Ring of the Nibelung".

The chronicle shows these events, but it also shows how people lived back then and brings history to life. This makes the 1976 chronicle a unique gift.