Pop culture is as American as apple pie. Enjoy the stories behind favorite hobbies, sports, and collectibles.
Will Rogers was a part-Cherokee American who grew up in Indian Territory and began his career in vaudeville doing rope tricks; he went on to become one of the most popular entertainers 
and writers of his day.
Will Rogers (1879-1935): His Wisdom Still Applies Today Read More »
January always brings a jump in memberships in gyms and fitness programs, and today Americans flock to CrossFit studios, hot yoga, Pilates, and spin classes never thinking about when our craving for fitness began. Jack LaLanne (1914-2011) was a French immigrant who became convinced that Americans could be healthier, and he began learning about nutrition and fitness in order to education himself. He eventually built an empire and had a television show where he could spread the word.
Jack LaLanne: Father of The Fitness Movement Read More »
When the Saints and the Colts take the field this Sunday for Super Bowl XLIV, their uniforms and protective gear differ markedly from the gear worn by those who played the game 90 years ago.
Think Today’s Game of Football is Tough? Read More »
The parade dates to 1890 and was conceived by the Valley Hunt Club of Pasadena. Members used flowers to decorate wagons, carriages, and their horses to celebrate a good citrus harvest. The parade quickly outgrew what the club could sponsor, so a Tournament of Roses organization developed to run the parade and all that went with it.
Before the Rose Bowl There was the Tournament of Roses Read More »
At holiday time, a special treat for the family often involved a trip downtown (or to the nearest big city) to see the store windows, talk to Santa, and admire the town Christmas tree. Major cities still have this holiday atmosphere (think of Rockefeller Center and the windows at Lord & Taylor, Bloomingdale’s, and Saks), but in smaller communities across the country the fabric of the shopping experience has been changed by the rise of big box stores.
Stimulating Retail Sales in Stores 100 Years Ago Read More »
During World War II the movie-making business in Los Angeles continued but was changed by the fact that the nation was at war. Like other companies, Hollywood was affected by shortages. Rationing, blackouts, and other wartime restrictions meant that filmmakers had to cut back on location shooting, set construction, and materials for costumes.
World War II and Hollywood: Participating in the War Effort Read More »
