It's April 1975. The Freedom Train, part of the Bicentennial Celebration, starts its nationwide tour.

In Saigon, the first plane of Operation Babylift crashes shortly after takeoff, killing more than 100 Vietnamese orphans who were bound for adoption by American families.

Chiang Kai-shek, 87, President of Nationalist China, dies of a heart attack on Taiwan.

Raymond J. Wilcox, group vice president for GAF Corporation predicts that "the time is not far off when you'll buy newspapers, magazines, and books on microfiche at your newsstand, and portable microviewers will be as common as portable radios."

At the 47th Annual Academy Awards, "The Godfather Part II" wins for Best Picture, Art Carney is chosen Best Actor for "Harry and Tonto," and Ellen Burstyn wins Best Actress for "Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore."

Federal energy administrator Frank Zarb says that if we don't change our energy patterns, we will run short of electricity by 1980.

The president of the National Education Association says that violence and vandalism are a way of life in our country's schools.

At the Tony Awards, "The Wiz" is chosen Best Musical and "Equus" is chosen Best Play.

At Lexington Battle Green in Massachusetts, President Ford speaks at kickoff ceremonies for the Bicentennial Celebration.

The Senate Judiciary Committee approves the entry of up to 131,000 Vietnamese and Cambodian refugees into the country.

The State Supreme Court declares that New York's no-fault insurance law is unconstitutional.

South Vietnam surrenders to the Communists. Saigon is renamed Ho Chi Minh City.

Senior citizens in Waverly are upset when told they cannot pray aloud before their Project Dinner Bell lunch because it is a federally funded program. The law forbids prayer at institutions funded with federal money.

Tens of thousands of people come to Broome County Airport to see the huge C-5 Galaxy Cargo plane which is here to pick up a flight simulator built by Singer. The C-5 has a wingspan of 222 feet and is six stories high.

The Capri Theater in Binghamton opens as center for live performances with the play "The Member of the Wedding" by the New Phoenix Repertory Company. The renovations of the former vaudeville house and movie theater have cost more than $500,000 so far. Before the theater officially opens in October, it will need $150,000 in major repairs such as fixing the large holes in the walls where the box seats used to be. The box seats were removed with air hammers and cutting torches in 1961 to make room for a wide movie screen.

A new sport, hang gliding, is becoming popular in the northeast.

The Bagel Break opens on Washington Street in Binghamton. Fresh-baked bagels are 15¢ each.

The observance of World Hunger Week in Broome County begins with a prayer service.

SUNY-Binghamton dedicates its new $10 million library.

The A&P Supermarket on Park Street in Owego is scheduled to close within six months. The Town of Owego considers buying the building for a town hall.

Four Tioga County bridges could be saved from demolition by designating them historical sites. Built between 1880 and 1895, the bridges are on Silk St in Newark Valley, Park Settlement Road between Owego and Candor, Kelsey Road in Candor (photo), and Allyn Street in Tioga Center.

The Town of Owego and the Village of Owego consider merging.

Monday night TV shows include Gunsmoke, The Rookies, S.W.A.T., Medical Center, and Maude. CBS cancels Gunsmoke, the second longest-running prime time TV show.

Movies in local theaters include Tommy, The Great Waldo Pepper, The Reincarnation of Peter Proud, Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore, Young Frankenstein, and Charlotte'sWeb.