This month marks the 45th anniversary of the publication debut of CHIC magazine (1976). Not to be confused with the same-named women's glamour/lifestyle magazine "CHIC" (launched 2012) in the vein of COSMPOLITAN, ELLE, ALLURE, HARPER'S BAZAAR, MARIE CLAIRE or VOGUE. CHIC's early issues were oversized until 1978, and the final print issue was Dec 2001.


NOVEMBER 1976 ON THE WORLD STAGE Jimmy Carter has been confirmed as the next President of the United States after a closely-fought contest which gave him 51% of the popular vote. His rival, outgoing President Gerald Ford, conceded victory at a news conference in the White House press room at midday. It is the first time since Herbert Hoover in 1932, that a sitting President has been dismissed from office. Carter is also the first candidate from the Deep South to win since the American Civil War Ford had lost his voice through campaigning and had to ask his wife Betty to read a telegramme of congratulation. It has been a nailbiting finish to what has generally been regarded as a rather dull campaign. Carter claimed victory for the Democrats shortly after dawn in Atlanta but a Republican demand for the impounding of the New York State voting machines seemed to place the result in question. Any doubt was finally lifted when New York returned a substantial majority Carter, and Ford made his concession speech. The final election results show Carter won 51% of the popular vote, three points ahead of Ford. He gained 297 of the vital electoral college votes after narrowly winning Ohio against Ford's 241. Despite the closeness of the race, the country is overwhelmingly under Democratic control. In the Senate, the Democrats hold of a lead of 61-38 amd also hold the House of Representatives by 290-145. Record turnouts were reported in many areas as Americans flocked to the polls, keen for a change in government. Interviews conducted with people leaving polling stations suggested Carter had attracted a big following among Roman Catholics inspite of the assumption his strong Baptist beliefs would alienate the Catholics. He also appeared to have strong support among blacks & young people. As a politician who emerged from the relative obscurity of a peanut farm in his native Georgia, where he was former Governor, to run for the presidency, he appealed to voters with his slogan "Trust me". Commentators say Ford and the Republicans were still suffering from the damage caused by the Watergate scandal and the President's decision only two months later to pardon Richard Nixon who although technically not impeached was forced to resign from office. Early results saw Carter take the lead, winning the key industrial state of Pennsylvania and all the southern & border states. President Ford took states in the East & Midwest but even his home state of Michigan looked a bit doubtful after Democratic Senate candidate Ronald Riegle won his seat despite a personal scandal (allegedly involving impropriety over an income tax refund cheque, and an affair with an unpaid worker, both of which led a Detroit newspaper to call him one of the worst Congressmen in Washington).