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

Annie Oakley: Sharpshooter & Remarkable Woman
Before she became a global superstar, Annie Oakley was simply Phoebe Ann Mosey, a young girl relying on her remarkable ability with firearms to support her family by hunting. That raw talent eventually propelled her to become history’s most famous female sharpshooter and the premier attraction of Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show. Dubbed “Little Sure Shot” by Chief Sitting Bull, Oakley captivated worldwide audiences and brought attention to the American Old West alongside her husband,…
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Revolutionary War Female Soldier Deborah Sampson
Deborah Sampson (1760-1827) is well-remembered for her actions during the Revolutionary War. She decided it was her calling to serve in the Continental Army, so she disguised herself as a man and enlisted. She served successfully for 17 months in an area near West Point, known as Neutral Ground. The discovery of her gender occurred when she was sent with her regiment to Philadelphia. Many of the soldiers—including Deborah- became seriously ill. Sampson’s fever became…
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Why is Election Day on Tuesday after the first Monday in November?
Why is Election Day always on a Tuesday? This is a question I am often asked when I address groups about our election day history. In 1845, Congress chose the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November because it was the most convenient day for 19th-century farmers. They traveled on horseback or with wagons, so a Tuesday gave them travel time without interfering with Sunday church services or Wednesday market days. That’s the simple…
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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…
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On July 15, 1971, Nixon announced his plans to visit Communist China during a live broadcast. No president had traveled there, and the trip marked a dramatic turning point in U.S.-China relations, as well as a major shift in American foreign policy. Benefits from the new relationship took time to develop, but it boosted Nixon’s standing in the U.S. and internationally.

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Fun Facts about the U.S. Flag

Flag Day was proclaimed to be June 14 by President Woodrow Wilson in 1916. The date was chosen to commemorate that on June14, 1777, a flag with stars and stripes was selected […]

Paul Revere Williams, Prominent Black L.A. Architect

Paul Revere Williams (1894-1980) was a talented and dedicated man who overcame obstacles that would have daunted almost anyone else. He dreamed of designing buildings and went on to become […]

Times Square Ball Drop: The Story of the New Year’s Eve Tradition

Each year on December 31 at one minute before midnight (Eastern Standard Time), people from around the world welcome the new year when the shimmering 12,300-pound crystal Waterford ball drops […]

First Elephants Brought to the United States

The first two elephants brought to the United States arrived separately. Both were newsworthy. One arrived in 1796; the other in 1804. What they had in common was the fact […]

Post-Election: A Participatory Democracy

Election results have yet to come in as I write this. We are all wondering whether the election will be resolved in a day or two or if something will […]

Tourism in the Southwest: Fred Harvey Company

Tourism in the Southwest was almost nonexistent when the railroads began traveling to the West Coast. But Fred Harvey’s hospitality company saw an opportunity to pioneer the leisure travel in […]

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Stories of America’s Past

Annie Oakley: Sharpshooter & Remarkable Woman

Revolutionary War Female Soldier Deborah Sampson

Why is Election Day on Tuesday after the first Monday in November?

When Gasoline-Powered Cars Were First Used, Where Did They Get Gasoline?

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Only in the USA

Fun Facts about the U.S. Flag

Paul Revere Williams, Prominent Black L.A. Architect

Times Square Ball Drop: The Story of the New Year’s Eve Tradition

First Elephants Brought to the United States

Post-Election: A Participatory Democracy

Tourism in the Southwest: Fred Harvey Company

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Women in Medicine: Little Known Crusaders

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