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

Edmonia Lewis: Sculptor Who Achieved International Fame
Edmonia Lewis was a groundbreaking sculptor who achieved international fame during the 19th century. She was born to a Black Haitian father and a mother of Native American (Ojibwe) and African descent. Sculpture was not a common art form in America at that time. The fact that Lewis achieved what she did is nothing short of remarkable. Working almost entirely in white Carrara marble, Lewis’s style was neoclassical, but her subject matter often related to…
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World War I Forgotten Hero: William Shemin
William Shemin’s heroic effort during World War I is a profound testament to valor, resilience, and the enduring American spirit. His heroism was undeniably documented by those who fought alongside him, yet the recognition he deserved was delayed for nearly a century by the systemic prejudice of an era that resisted embracing its Jewish soldiers. Despite not receiving the Medal of Honor in 1919, Bill Shemin (1896-1973) remained fully devoted to the United States. He…
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Road Maps: Before There Was GPS
Remember foldable paper road maps? For some of us, the thought of foldable highway maps conjures memories of family road trips where the words, “Let’s stop for a map,” were spoken whenever the family drove into unfamiliar territory. Parents studied the map for route guidance and then passed the map to those of us in the back seat who yearned for something new to look at during long drives. Early Drivers Didn’t Need Maps When…
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The Enduring Role of Animals in World War I
World War I marked a turning point in warfare, ushering in an era of large-scale mechanization. Trains, trucks, tanks, cars, and motorcycles were deployed for the war, yet animals remained indispensable. Before the United States entered the war, France and Britain were importing horses, mules, and donkeys from the U.S. But buying and importing animals was both difficult and expensive. Many of the animals became ill during transatlantic transit. When the United States entered the…
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On
This
Day

On February 12, 1924, George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue was performed for the first time. Paul Whiteman, an influential orchestra conductor, believed jazz needed to be considered a serious art form and wanted it for his orchestra. At the concert, Gershwin himself accompanied the orchestra on piano. (He composed it in under 5 weeks and had to improvise his part that afternoon.) Rhapsody is now regarded as an important 20th century contribution to music.

Heroes & Trailblazers

Joyce Kilmer, World War I Soldier and Well-Known Poet

Alfred Joyce Kilmer (1886-1918) is remembered as a patriot, a family man, a veteran, and a well-known poet. His poetry was so widely-read that when he was killed in World […]

America 250: Read a Little, Learn a Lot

The 250th anniversary of America’s independence—our Semiquincentennial– is just a few months away. The celebrations are intended to begin on July 4, marking the 250th year since the signing of […]

Jovita Idar: Mexican American Journalist and Activist

Journalist and activist Jovita Idar (1885-1946) lived and worked in Laredo, Texas, along the Mexican border. She is the equal of social activists and reporters like Nellie Bly (Elizabeth Cochran), […]

Legendary Showman Ed Sullivan: Mr. Sunday Night

Ed Sullivan was a legendary showman who grew up in Port Chester, New York. His career as a long-time television host came about from hard work and good luck. His […]

Song Pluggers in the American Music Industry

Song pluggers were a big part of the growing music industry during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Before recorded music could be distributed, publishers hired professional songwriters to […]

The Invention of the Jukebox

A jukebox! If you walk into a themed restaurant where they have jukeboxes, it’s still a thrill. The thought of choosing some tunes that remind us of our teen years […]

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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

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 […]

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 […]

Cher Ami and Other Heroic Birds

No homing pigeon ever enlisted in any war, but they were used by the military on both sides of the conflicts during World Wars I and II. Once in place, […]

Winged Warriors of World Wars I and II

Homing pigeons saved thousands of lives during both World Wars. Despite amazing technological progress in warfare during the early 20th century, there were times when the military needed to rely […]

The U.S. Constitution: Explained in Less Than an Hour

The United States Constitution is the cornerstone that supports our liberty. Yet most people are only vaguely aware of all that it specifies and why. What if the Constitution and […]

Elizabeth Keckly, Slave Turned Entrepreneur, Confidante to Mary Lincoln

Early Years Elizabeth Hobbs Keckly* (1818-1907) was born into slavery in North Carolina. Her mother was a seamstress. Elizabeth was originally told that her father was George Hobbs, a slave […]

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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