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Abraham Lincoln’s Childhood: Growing Up to Be…-
Dick and Jane: Story of These Early Readers
Dick and Jane books were the predominant readers in public schools from the 1940s through the early 1960s. The books were created by educator Williams S. Gray and former teacher and reading consultant Zerna Sharp, who believed that the... -
Walter Knott: Farmer and Theme Park Pioneer
Walter Knott (1889-1981) is best remembered for creating Knott’s Berry Farm, now a popular amusement park. He deserves to be remembered for many more contributions to the country. He was a dedicated and gifted farmer who was the first... -
WWI: U.S. Recruits Women Operators
About six months after the U.S. entered World War I, the Signal Corps—the U.S. Communications unit of the Army—put out a call for women telephone operators. This was at the express request of General John J. Pershing, the top... -
Baseball’s Ceremonial Pitch: Presidential Traditions
“Taft Throws Out Ball” read the headline of The New York Times on April 15, 1910. With that report on an easy toss of a baseball, a presidential tradition was born. Since that time, most presidents have found a... -
Alice S. Wells: Among First Policewomen
Alice Stebbins Wells (1873-1957) was among the earliest women hired to work in law enforcement in the United States. She urged passage of a law that would let her join the police force in Los Angeles, and in 1910,... -
Sarah Keys Evans: Taking a Stand for Civil Rights
Sarah Keys Evans did not intend to take a stand for civil rights in 1952 when she boarded an interstate bus in Trenton, New Jersey. She was on leave from Fort Dix where she served in the Women’s Army... -
Colonel Charles Young, Notable Military Leader with Many Firsts
Charles Young (1864-1922) graduated from West Point and went on to achieve the rank of colonel in the military, the highest rank of any African American in the early 20th century. Young was also a brilliant linguist and was... -
The 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion
The 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion was an all-female black military unit created in 1944. These women are among the unsung heroes of World War II. The work they accomplished—hand-processing warehouses-full of undelivered mail–brought comfort to countless American soldiers... -
Alice Cogswell: Bright Child Who Inspired Education for Deaf in U.S.
Alice Cogswell (1805-1830) was two years old when she suffered “spotted fever” (likely meningitis). She recovered but lost her ability to hear. Her bright, inquisitive manner attracted the attention of neighbor Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet (1787-1851). After getting to know... -
First Rearview Mirror Marketed as “Cop-spotter”
The first widely distributed rearview mirror for automobiles was sold as the “Cop-spotter” by a fellow named Elmer Berger. Available as an auto accessory, the “Cop-spotter” retailed in hardware stores for about $4. (Cars did not routinely have any... -
Buster Brown Shoes and Mary Janes
“I’m Buster Brown, and I live in a shoe. That’s my dog, Tige, and he lives there, too,” went the jingle for Buster Brown shoes. The Brown Shoe Company began in 1878 as a partnership among three St. Louis... -
Mar-a-Lago: The Winter White House
Mar-a-Lago, now owned by presidential candidate Donald Trump, was built by Marjorie Merriweather Post (1887-1973) in the 1920s. -
Roscoe (Fatty) Arbuckle’s Dog, Luke
Fatty Arbuckle’s dog, Luke, was one of the most talented stars of
silent films. In a day when camera tricks were technologically not possible, Luke...
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White Castle Hamburgers: The Story
White Castle holds the title of being the first fast-food restaurant inthe world. Their original hamburger eatery opened in Wichita,
BLOOMINGTON, MN
Getty Images -
The All American Red Heads, Women’s Professional Basketball Team, 1936-1986
Team Photo 1941-42 All American Red Heads, photo courtesy of John Molina
The All American Red Heads were the female equivalent of the all-male Harlem Globetrotters;...
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Topics At America Comes Alive
American Presidents & Their Families
Inspirational Women
Hispanic Heritage
Entrepreneurs & Inventors
Only in the USA
Sports, Cars & Other Pastimes
War Stories
Native American HeritagePart of the inspiration for this site comes from a remark made by Nobel Peace Prize winner Jane Addams (1860-1935)
"People do not want to hear about simple things. They want to hear about great things - simply told."
"People do not want to hear about simple things. They want to hear about great things - simply told."
On This Day
On June 23, 1972, Title IX of the education amendments of 1972 became law, thereby outlawing gender discrimination. Any school that receives any federal money from the elementary to university level–in short, nearly all schools–must provide fair and equal treatment of the sexes in all areas, including athletics. Here's the story of the woman who pressed for passage of the new law: Patsy Takemoto Mink.
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American Presidents and Their Families
The Tradition of the White House Tree Lighting Ceremony
Today we think of the ceremonial lighting of the White House Christmas tree as a long-time... continue »
George Washington (1732-1799): Childhood and Early Years
President from 1789-1797 Today we know that the “I cannot tell a lie” statement George Washington was supposed to have made to his father after... continue ».
What can one person do? Read some of the stories on this site; you'll see that they revolve around single individuals who worked toward change.
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."
Margaret Mead
Margaret Mead
