The Turn of a Decade

Leaving Kent State will be hitting the shelves before I know it, so I wanted to share with you some fun things about the late 1960s and early 1970s leading up to the release on November 11th.

In setting the stage for the time period, I relied on iconic images that I associate with my childhood. Coca-Cola, Camel cigarettes, the music of the era, and, of course, Peanuts by Charles M. Schulz. Did you know there is a Charles Schulz museum celebrating all things Peanuts? Well, there is, and you can check it out here.

As the 1960s ushered in a new period for American identity, fraught with the Vietnam War, women’s rights, and political and racial unrest, companies like Coca-Cola scrambled to find new ways to relate to their younger demographics. Coke needed a way to reflect what was hip (as they used to say) and still keep its wholesome, all-American image. In 1969, Coke came up with the slogan “The Real Thing.” To cement its appeal with young people, Coke turned to rock music and, in 1971, released its iconic “I’d like to buy the world a Coke” jingle. The ad, filmed on a hilltop in Italy, featured twenty-somethings from all over the world singing about bringing a weary world harmony and peace, while it reminded viewers that Coke was “the real thing” that could glue us all together.

Rachel’s father is a lot like my dad was. A World War II vet who smoked Camel cigarettes nonstop, my dad didn’t want me to go away to college, either. He won that battle. To see if Rachel wins with her dad, well, you’ll just have to read the book.

Happy Thursday, Everyone!