History Moment:
When the final buzzer sounded at Memorial Coliseum at 2:18 pm on June 5th 1977, it signaled more than 109-107 victory for the Portland Trail Blazers over the Philadelphia 76ers and a NBA championship. It also signaled the start of a celebration to rival New Year’s Eve on Times Square. The city of Portland lost its cool. Most of the state of Oregon did the same. Impromptu parties began everywhere, including in downtown Portland. “We’re No. 1” chants echoed off buildings. There was dancing and kissing in the streets. Crowd estimates went as high as 150,000 for the parade honoring the Blazers the following day. The city was jammed. Traffic came to a standstill – and no one seemed to mind. Blazermania was almost out of hand.
