KYW Flashback: Deadly Illness Spreads During Bicentennial In Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) --- It was the bicentennial year, celebrating the 200th anniversary of American Independence.

1976 was a great year for Philadelphia and its hotels. But at the height of its festive season, KYW Newsradio broadcast a succession of reports that stunned the city, had ominous implications and changed the face of Philadelphia's hotel and social scene.

A deadly illness had spread among American Legion Members attending an annual convention here. Nearly 30 had died, 180 more were sick.

What became known as Legionnaires Disease was traced to the air conditioning system at the venerable Bellevue-Stratford Hotel. By November, the Philadelphia icon was shuttered.

It was 3 years before it would reopen.