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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

Tiffany Designer Clara Driscoll

Louis Comfort Tiffany is perhaps the single most famous artist of all time in the field of decorative arts. During his era, his name was the only one associated with … Tiffany Designer Clara Driscoll Read More »
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Fudgie the Whale

Tom Carvel: King of Soft-Serve

Tom Carvel was a self-made success story whose name is synonymous with the product he created—soft-serve ice cream. Carvel (1906-1990) was among the early adopters of using a franchise system … Tom Carvel: King of Soft-Serve Read More »
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Last Battles of the Civil War: Forks Road

The Battle of Forks Road in Wilmington, North Carolina, in February 1865, was one of the closing armed engagements bringing the Civil War to an end. By late 1864 almost … Last Battles of the Civil War: Forks Road Read More »
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David Ruggles: Overlooked Black Abolitionist

David Ruggles was among the early Black abolitionists and had a strong influence on those who followed. He was thoughtful, aggressive, and unapologetic in all that he undertook. It was … David Ruggles: Overlooked Black Abolitionist Read More »
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Chester Nez: Navajo Code Talker & Marine

Chester Nez, a Navajo, was recruited by the Marines in 1942. He was one of 29 Navajos who were brought into the military for the express purpose of creating an … Chester Nez: Navajo Code Talker & Marine Read More »
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cherry blossoms

Cherry Trees Brought to D.C. By Helen Taft

The cherry blossom trees that bloom so beautifully along the Potomac in Washington, D.C. are a huge and very deserving tourist attraction each spring. The story of these trees is … Cherry Trees Brought to D.C. By Helen Taft Read More »
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Bubble Gum: How Dubble Bubble was InventedBubble Gum: How Dubble Bubble was Invented
The True Inventor of Blue JeansThe True Inventor of Blue Jeans
Buster Brown Shoes and Mary JanesBuster Brown Shoes and Mary Janes
Dorie Miller (1919-1943), Hero of World War IIDorie Miller (1919-1943), Hero of World War II

On
This
Day

On April 12, 1954, Bill Haley and the Comets recorded “Rock Around the Clock.” Short on studio time, the Comets recorded the song–the B side of a new record–in 2 takes. The record, “13 Women,” sold well, but then a kid in L.A. played the other side. He introduced “Rock Around the Clock” to his father actor Glenn Ford, who took it to his producers. The song was added to the film, Blackboard Jungle, becoming a pop sensation.

Heroes & Trailblazers

Fudgie the Whale

Tom Carvel: King of Soft-Serve

Tom Carvel was a self-made success story whose name is synonymous with the product he created—soft-serve ice cream. Carvel (1906-1990) was among the early adopters…
Read More

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Recent Stories

Fudgie the Whale

Tom Carvel: King of Soft-Serve

Tom Carvel was a self-made success story whose name is synonymous with the product he created—soft-serve ice cream. Carvel (1906-1990) was among the early adopters…
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)
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