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

On
This
Day
On October 22, 1962, the Cuban Missile Crisis came to public attention when President John F. Kennedy announced that spy planes discovered Soviet missile bases in Cuba. Kennedy announced a naval blockade of Cuba, and ordered the USSR to dismantle the bases. The Soviets did not respond, so Kennedy threatened to invade. The Soviets countered with a challenge: The U.S. should remove their missiles in Turkey. Negotiations became secret, and by October 28, the crisis was resolved.
Heroes & Trailblazers
Legendary Showman Ed Sullivan: Mr. Sunday Night
Song Pluggers in the American Music Industry
The Invention of the Jukebox
Cher Ami and Other Heroic Birds
Winged Warriors of World Wars I and II
The U.S. Constitution: Explained in Less Than an Hour
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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
Who Thought of That?
Recent Stories
Elizabeth Keckly, Slave Turned Entrepreneur, Confidante to Mary Lincoln
Dissolvable Pills: An Important Invention by Upjohn
First Elephants Brought to the United States
James A. Bailey, Circus Impresario
P.T. Barnum, Extraordinary Showman
Alice S. Wells: Among First Policewomen
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)