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,…
Read More Annie Oakley: Sharpshooter & Remarkable Woman
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…
Read More Revolutionary War Female Soldier Deborah Sampson
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…
Read More Why is Election Day on Tuesday after the first Monday in November?
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?

On
This
Day

On July 23, 1967, one of the worst riots in U.S. history broke out in the heart of inner city Detroit–12^th Street. In the early morning hours, the police launched a raid against an illegal club. The people in side were celebrating the return of 2 servicemen from Vietnam. Onlookers gathered to watch, and soon public protest started. The military was called in, but it took four days to calm the city. Forth-three died, 342 were injured. Nearly 1,400 building burned.

Only in the USA

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 […]

Love what you’re reading?

Skip the noise and get compelling stories about America delivered to your inbox. Mailings arrive about every other week.

Who Thought of That?

Service Dogs

Rearview Mirror

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)

American Presidents and Their Families

Black Leaders

Entrepreneurs & Inventors

Heroes & Trailblazers

Inspirational Women

Latin Heritage

Native American Culture

Only in the USA

Sports, Cars & Pastimes

Stories of War

American Dogs

Election Stories

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?

On
This
Day

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

Love what you’re reading?

Who Thought of That?

Service Dogs

Rearview Mirror

Double Bubble

Recent Stories

Margaret Knight, Inventor of Flat-Bottom Bag Machine

Woman-Owned, Minority-Owned Construction Co: McKissack & McKissack

The Automat: Restaurant Built With Nickels

First Woman Tiger Trainer: Mabel Stark (1888-1968)

Matthew Henson, Co-Discoverer of the North Pole

Women in Medicine: Little Known Crusaders

Search

Stories of America’s Past

On This Day

Only in the USA

Love what you’re reading?

Who Thought of That?

Service Dogs

Rearview Mirror

Double Bubble

Recent Stories

Start typing and press enter to search

On
This
Day