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

  • 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…
    Read More Road Maps: Before There Was GPS

  • 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 background taught him to open doors to those—particularly African Americans—who lacked access. In the process, he changed American entertainment. When The Ed Sullivan Show was at its height, between 45 and 50 million people tuned in weekly. They saw live performances of the biggest musical…
    Read More Legendary Showman Ed Sullivan: Mr. Sunday Night

  • 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 October 19, 1985, the first Blockbuster video-rental store opened in Dallas, Texas. Most video stores were small local businesses with a very limited selection of titles. Blockbuster opened with some 8,000 tapes on display and a computerized check-out process. The first store was a success and Blockbuster expanded rapidly, eventually becoming one of the world’s largest providers of in-home movies and game entertainment. By the mid-1990s, many of the stores were closing because of digital video and streaming services.

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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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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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