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

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On March 25, 1911, a factory fire at the Triangle Shirtwaist Company in New York City killed 145 workers, primarily because the exits were blocked or locked. The employees were young immigrant women, and workers had no protection at that time. When the fire began in the rag bin, the women were not able to escape. The tragedy led to the development of a series of laws and regulations that better protected the safety of factory workers.
Black Leaders
Voting Rights Advocate Fannie Lou Hamer
Ossian Sweet Denied Right to His Home, 1925
Sgt. William Carney, Former Slave and Medal of Honor Recipient
Sgt. William Carney, Former Slave and Medal of Honor Recipient Read More »
Charles David, Jr: Selfless Coast Guard Hero of World War II
Charles David, Jr: Selfless Coast Guard Hero of World War II Read More »
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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
Recent Stories
Rose Knox: Businesswoman Ahead of Her Time
Abraham Lincoln’s Childhood: Growing Up to Be President
Abraham Lincoln’s Childhood: Growing Up to Be President Read More »
Lincoln Logs Invented by Frank L. Wright’s Son
Chief Standing Bear’s Victory for Civil Rights
The Invention of the Fire Escape
First Giant Panda Brought to U.S. by Ruth Harkness
First Giant Panda Brought to U.S. by Ruth Harkness Read More »
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)