Before trains and automobiles, it was riverboats that connected America. You can learn more about the rich American tradition of steamships here.
Category - American History
The Summer Camps of Our Youth: A Great American Tradition:
Summer camps are a slice of Americana that comes with more than 100 years of rich history. Learn more about how camps originated here!
What is the History of Daylight Savings Time, and Why Do We Have It?
Daylight Savings Time is an idea that has been around for more than 100 years, and was implemented nationwide in Germany a little over a century ago. Here is its history, and how (and why) it is used...
The History of Presidents’ Day
Presidents' Day is a holiday that is celebrated in February, and usually means a day off work or school for many people. It is also highly associated with retail sales, as many businesses hold a...
The National Museum of the United States Air Force
The National Museum of the United States Air Force is a historic treasure that you must visit. Learn more about the museum and its history here!
When Vermont Was a Nation: A Closer Look at Our 14th State
Vermont is our 14th state, the first to join the nation after the Revolution. It also spent some time as an independent nation. Here's Vermont's story.
How Martin Luther King Jr. Day Became a Federal Holiday
Martin Luther King Jr Day is one of two federal holidays we celebrate in January (the other being New Year's Day). Here's the story of how it got started.
Adams and the Alien and Sedition Act
The Alien and Sedition Act cost President John Adams re-election. Here's why this act made our nation's 2nd president the first to lose a re-election campaign.
George Washington, the Masons, the White House, and the Case of the Missing Cornerstone
In 1792, the cornerstone of the White House was laid in a star-studded Masonic ceremony. No one has seen it since. Here's the story of the missing cornerstone.
The Evolution of Florida
Florida has changed hands many times in its long history as a European colony and state. Here's the story of Florida's journey from Spanish outpost to 27th state.
The Wild Days of Texas: When Texas Was a Country
Texas spent ten years as an independent nation. Those years were wild ones for the Lone Star State. Here's what happened in Texas that made it so tumultuous.
Margaret Christine Otis Baker: A Colonial Woman with an Incredible Story
Margaret Christine Otis Baker is a local heroine in the town of Dover, New Hampshire. Her amazing colonial American story of captivity, conversion (three times), and a love story that saw her leave...
The Military Service of Jimmy Stewart
Jimmy Stewart is an American actor best known for playing George Bailey in the classic Christmas movie, It’s a Wonderful Life. Yet, there was way more to Jimmy Stewart than just a famous movie role...
The United States Under the Articles of Confederation: A Forgotten History
The Articles of Confederation came before the Constitution. Our nation operated under them for 8 years. What were the Articles and why were they changed?
American Indians: Selling American Colonists to Canada
There was a period of time in colonial New Hampshire when colonists were regularly abducted by Indians & sold to the French in Canada. This is why they did it.
Thanksgiving and Our Ancestors
What is the real story behind Thanksgiving and how did your ancestors celebrate it? Read on to discover the answer.
By the Rocket’s Red Glare (Francis Scott Key)
We Americans recognize those as the first lines of our National Anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner,” but to the author of those words, Francis Scott Key, the question was real.
Have You Visited Angel Island?
Have you visited Angel Island in San Francisco? What do you think about building a state park on an island with such a storied past?
Navy Before Country
The history of the U.S. Navy is longer than the history of the United States. It's even longer than the idea of the United States.
The History of Covered Bridges in America
The history of covered bridges in North America and the United States is a fascinating one. The bridges that remain are quite beloved and mostly protected. Here is the history of covered bridges in...
The Rise of Iconic U.S. Lighthouses
Lighthouses are an iconic part of Americana that have a rich history stemming back to ancient Egypt. Let me show you some of the history behind them!
Corning Glass and Your Family
Most of us know of Corning Glass as the makers of PYREX and CorningWare. However, Corning has a long, fascinating history of technological innovation.
Your Rebel Ancestors, Part Two: The Women
Just like the Puritan magistrates and ministers were against men wearing their hair long, they were also against the women wearing their hair elaborately. Anything other than a plain bun covered by a...
Were Your Ancestors Social Rebels?
Were your ancestor’s social rebels against societal convention? There was a time in early New England that the leaders did not want men wearing their hair long. They said it was ungodly. Plenty of...
History’s Mysteries: The Winchester Mystery House
The Winchester Mystery House in California is said to be haunted, and built by a madwoman. But, is this really the truth of the story? Everyone loves a good ghost story and a haunted house brings...
Celebrating Our National Heritage: A History of the 4th of July
You know we celebrate our nation’s independence on the 4th of July. But, do you know how this holiday came to be? When was it first celebrated? What is its true meaning? Let me share with you this...
The Iconic Packard Automobiles and America’s Packard Museum
Packard cars were among the most iconic American automobiles ever made—and there’s a beautiful Dayton museum devoted to them. Learn more about it here!
The History of Father’s Day
Father’s Day actually has roots going back to the early Middle ages, just after the fall of the Roman Empire in Europe. Churches celebrated a version. But, it took until the 1970s for it to become a...
The History of Memorial Day
Memorial Day is celebrated on the last Monday of May and is meant to celebrate and honor those who fell during service with the U.S. military. The point of the holiday is clear, but its origins are...
The Ohio State Reformatory
From Civil War camps to modern filmmaking, the Ohio State Reformatory has a long, rich history. You can learn all about this Ohio historical landmark here!