First Fourth of July Unlike today, the first July 4, 1776 was a quiet and solemn day in Philadelphia. Pleasant morning in 1776 Thomas Jefferson even noted in his account book that at 6 a.m., July 4, 1776, “it was a ‘pleasant morning.” He also included the price of a doll for his daughter and […]
Alabama contributing Author, Joyce Ray Wheeler, shares a personal July 4th in Kentucky that turned out quite differently than expected. JULY 4TH FIREWORKS By Joyce Ray Wheeler (b. January 4, 1926- d. November 1, 2012) A tragedy for our tiny Kentucky town occurred at midnight on July 4, 1941, when I was fifteen years old. […]
Those old small refrigerators didn’t hold much as Alabama Author, Inez McCollum depicts in this story. OPEN REFRIGERATOR EMBARRASSMENT BY INEZ MCCOLLUM A recent program of Anthony Bourdain told of his visiting an American-Okinawan while in Okinawa. The young man had returned with his mom to Okinawa at age 9. While in America, his Mother […]
The Dust Bowl, also known as the Dirty Thirties, was a period of severe dust storms that greatly damaged the ecology and agriculture of the US and Canadian prairies during the 1930s. The migrants moved from terrible living conditions back home to not much better living conditions in California. The photographs below were taken by […]
Two more fish recipes from the 1920s to try. Salt-Codfish Salad Soak one pound of salt cod in cold water overnight. Drain water, put more cold water on it, just cover and simmer for 30 minutes; drain; cool; flake with a fork, and to this add equal quantities of cold boiled potatoes and three medium-sized […]
During the 17th century, much of the land in Tidewater Maryland was patented in huge tracts to the first settlers. The acreage of these often being more than one family could farm, they were divided into smaller tracts during the 18th century. On these parcels, the colonial planters built their homes, usually dwellings of frame […]
Most Americans probably do not know the reason behind the celebration of Cinco de Mayo, yet t’s one of the biggest nights of the year for many Mexican restaurants in America. Some people believe it is Mexican Independence Day, but that is incorrect. Mexico declared its independence from Spain on September 15, 1810, and south […]
Alabama Author, Jean Butterworth, shares a personal story about Brush Arbor Meetings in Alabama Are Old Time Tent Revivals Still Around? by Jean Butterworth Who remembers those old-time tent revivals? It takes hot summer heat, a very large tent set up on a vacant lot, lots of sawdust on the ground, and folding chairs. I […]
In 1939 when televisions were being produced commercially, no one could anticipate how much television would change our lives. Now rather than one large stationary television in each house, we can view television programs, movies, and other media not even envisioned in those early days. Along with televisions, commercials appeared which allowed us to watch all […]
THE DAY THE MUSIC DIED Richie Valens, musician (May 13, 1941 – Feb. 3, 1959) died too early in his life on a fateful plane crash February 3, 1959 . His real name was Richard Steven Valenzuela This date will be forever called ‘The Day the Music Died.” Three promising musicians lost their lives. Roger Peterson, the […]
