America Comes Alive

Benjamin Banneker (1731-1806), a free Black man and a contemporary of the Founding Fathers, was an interdisciplinary pioneer who taught himself about various forms of science, astronomy, and geographical surveying.

When World War II began, the United States military had no plan for using dogs for defense.

Candy corn is to Halloween what the candy cane is to Christmas.

In 1909, long before pasteurized milk was standard in Washington, D.C., First Lady Helen “Nellie” Taft entered the White House with a personal goal.

Long before modern celebrity pets, there was Dave the Wonder Dog—the famous English Setter who shared the spotlight with legendary sharpshooter Annie Oakley and her husband, Frank Butler.

Marcelino Serna was still a Mexican citizen when he fought for the United States in World War I.

n 1908, women participated in a political convention for the first time.

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.

In today’s world, major national political conventions in the United States are subject to the highest levels of security.

Flag Day was proclaimed to be June 14 by President Woodrow Wilson in 1916.

Deborah Sampson (1760-1827) is well-remembered for her actions during the Revolutionary War.

Bubble gum was introduced in Philadelphia in 1928 where it was invented by a 23-year-old named Walter Diemer (1905-1998).

The Harvey Girls were an important part of opening the American West in the late nineteenth century.

Paul Revere Williams (1894-1980) was a talented and dedicated man who overcame obstacles that would have daunted almost anyone else.