Only in the USA

Hearing the Election News

Today’s voters will hear election results from many sources almost immediately after the polls close: News organizations will have the information online as it comes... continue »

Does Your Vote Count?

I am often asked whether someone’s vote “really counts because the person lives in a red state [or a blue state]?” The answer is: “Yes!... continue »

Why is election day on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November?

Originally everything was back-timed so that the voting would be completed by the time the Electoral College was to meet on the first Wednesday in... continue »

Long History of Presidential Debates?

As we look toward the final debate in this 2012 election season, it's good to be reminded of how brief the history of presidential debates... continue »

The Man Who Pressed for Presidential Debates to Happen

In what can only be described as a miracle of Internet connectivity, I have heard from a person whom I mentioned in a blog post... continue »

Rock ‘N’ Roll Billboards of the Sunset Strip–New Book Presents Iconic Billboards

In the early days of rock ‘n’ roll, before MTV and the Internet, iTunes and Spotify, record companies began to gravitate to advertising their musical... continue »

First Hispanic Governor of California: Romualdo Pacheco, Jr.

Governor (Jose Antonio) Romualdo Pacheco, Jr. (1831-1899) American politician and diplomat Only Hispanic (thus far) to serve as Governor of California First Hispanic representative of... continue »

Political Convention Security Measures 1908

The Democratic National Convention, Denver 1908: Heightened Security in 1908 Equaled Sixteen Extra Officers (and Some Help from Tammany) In Charlotte, NC, they are taking... continue »

Where is the Candidate? (1908)

Tonight Michelle Obama will give her speech in Charlotte, N.C. and the President will watch the event on television from the White House. While Barack... continue »

The Hollywood Dog Training School: A 2012 Visit

If there is hallowed ground for Hollywood canines, it is not the plaza outside Grauman’s Chinese Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard where The Artist star, Uggie,... continue »

The First Seeing Eye Dog is Used in America in 1928

In the early twentieth century, those without sight were marginalized members of society. They had no job options and no mobility, and had to rely... continue »

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

This fall I taught a class at the Osher Institute at UCLA; the class was called American Moments and one day I was talking about... continue »

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