Stories of America’s Past

Welcome to America Comes Alive!, a site I created to share little-known stories of regular people who made a difference and changed the course of history. Look around and see what inspires you! — Kate Kelly

Kate Kelly

America 250: Read a Little, Learn a Lot
The 250th anniversary of America’s independence—our Semiquincentennial– is just a few months away. The celebrations are intended to begin on July 4, marking the 250th year since the signing of the Declaration of Independence (July 4, 1776). But excitement throughout the country is building. There will be events that come before July 4, 2026, as well as long after. The intent is to celebrate the remarkable founding of the country and to honor the contributions…
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Road Maps: Before There Was GPS
Remember foldable paper road maps? For some of us, the thought of foldable highway maps conjures memories of family road trips where the words, “Let’s stop for a map,” were spoken whenever the family drove into unfamiliar territory. Parents studied the map for route guidance and then passed the map to those of us in the back seat who yearned for something new to look at during long drives. Early Drivers Didn’t Need Maps When…
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When Gasoline-Powered Cars Were First Used, Where Did They Get Gasoline?
How did early drivers get gasoline before there were gas stations? Until “horseless carriages” began traveling along American roads, there hadn’t been much need for gasoline. Gasoline was identified during the mid-19th century, when companies began refining crude oil to extract kerosene. Gasoline was a byproduct of this process, but because it was highly flammable, it was generally discarded. But with the development of gas-powered automobiles, Americans needed places to buy gasoline. Early Retail Sources…
Read More When Gasoline-Powered Cars Were First Used, Where Did They Get Gasoline?
The Enduring Role of Animals in World War I
World War I marked a turning point in warfare, ushering in an era of large-scale mechanization. Trains, trucks, tanks, cars, and motorcycles were deployed for the war, yet animals remained indispensable. Before the United States entered the war, France and Britain were importing horses, mules, and donkeys from the U.S. But buying and importing animals was both difficult and expensive. Many of the animals became ill during transatlantic transit. When the United States entered the…
Read More The Enduring Role of Animals in World War I

On
This
Day

On November 2, 1947, the largest aircraft ever built–the “Spruce Goose”—flew on its first and only flight. The plane was commissioned by the U.S. government for the war effort, but it was not completed until 1946. Designed by Howard Hughes and made of spruce and birch wood, the aircraft had a wingspan longer than a football field and was intended to carry more than 700 men to battle.

Heroes & Trailblazers

Jovita Idar: Mexican American Journalist and Activist

Journalist and activist Jovita Idar (1885-1946) lived and worked in Laredo, Texas, along the Mexican border. She is the equal of social activists and reporters like Nellie Bly (Elizabeth Cochran), […]

Legendary Showman Ed Sullivan: Mr. Sunday Night

Ed Sullivan was a legendary showman who grew up in Port Chester, New York. His career as a long-time television host came about from hard work and good luck. His […]

Song Pluggers in the American Music Industry

Song pluggers were a big part of the growing music industry during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Before recorded music could be distributed, publishers hired professional songwriters to […]

The Invention of the Jukebox

A jukebox! If you walk into a themed restaurant where they have jukeboxes, it’s still a thrill. The thought of choosing some tunes that remind us of our teen years […]

Cher Ami and Other Heroic Birds

No homing pigeon ever enlisted in any war, but they were used by the military on both sides of the conflicts during World Wars I and II. Once in place, […]

Winged Warriors of World Wars I and II

Homing pigeons saved thousands of lives during both World Wars. Despite amazing technological progress in warfare during the early 20th century, there were times when the military needed to rely […]

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Welcome to America Comes Alive!, a site I created to share little-known stories of regular people who made a difference and changed the course of history. Look around and see what inspires you! — Kate Kelly

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Recent Stories

The U.S. Constitution: Explained in Less Than an Hour

The United States Constitution is the cornerstone that supports our liberty. Yet most people are only vaguely aware of all that it specifies and why. What if the Constitution and […]

Elizabeth Keckly, Slave Turned Entrepreneur, Confidante to Mary Lincoln

Early Years Elizabeth Hobbs Keckly* (1818-1907) was born into slavery in North Carolina. Her mother was a seamstress. Elizabeth was originally told that her father was George Hobbs, a slave […]

Dissolvable Pills: An Important Invention by Upjohn

The Upjohn Company was a major name in the pharmaceutical business for many years. Its founder, Dr. W.E. Upjohn, invented the dissolvable pill at a time when liquid and powder […]

First Elephants Brought to the United States

The first two elephants brought to the United States arrived separately. Both were newsworthy. One arrived in 1796; the other in 1804. What they had in common was the fact […]

James A. Bailey, Circus Impresario

James A. Bailey (1847-1906) was the lesser-known but equally important partner in the Barnum & Bailey Circus, a full-scale spectacle that delighted young and old. It was known as “the […]

P.T. Barnum, Extraordinary Showman

P.T. Barnum is remembered as a circus impresario, and he was definitely that. But his career spanned many decades before he went into the circus business. He published a newspaper, […]

Part of the inspiration for this site comes from this remark: “People do not want to hear about simple things. They want to hear about great things – simply told.”
Nobel Peace Prize winner Jane Addams (1860-1935)

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