1940s
The Making of a King: How Martin Luther King, Jr. Transformed America (Part 1)
In Black American history there have been many influential people. Phyllis Wheatley. Sojourner Truth. Harriet Tubman. Frederick Douglass. Booker T. Washington. George Washington Carver. Jackie Robinson. But few transformed America…
Read MoreThe United Nations: How Roosevelt’s Godly Vision Reimagined the World
In 1940 western civilization was under attack. Wars raged across the globe. Fascist dictators invaded and occupied weaker…
Read MoreThe Big Switch That Wasn’t: The Dixiecrats, Race and 1964
It’s known as “The Big Switch.” A historical moment when Southern Democrat politicians converted to Republicanism and refashioned the G.O.P. into a racist political party (according to their opponents). In…
Read MoreHarlan Sanders: The Story of a Colonel Who Found There’s More to Life Than Chicken
The story of Harlan Sanders and Kentucky Fried Chicken is already interesting, but here’s a twist I bet you haven’t heard. Harlan Sanders (1890-1980) was always a late bloomer. He…
Read MoreFour Chaplains Day: A Day of Faith, Sacrifice and Service
“Four Chaplains Day” might be the most important (and inspirational) military holiday Americans have never heard of. The U.S. military has celebrated it since 1951, even if the story has…
Read MoreMartin Luther King, Jr.: The Making of an American Moses (Part 3)
In PART ONE, the individuals and events that influenced King’s childhood and adolescence were addressed. In PART TWO, Martin Luther King’s rise to inspire and lead the Civil Rights…
Read MoreFirst World Series: How Baseball Opened the American Century
No sport framed 20th century American culture more than baseball. In fact, America’s story–how we worked, what we believed, the battles we fought and the glory we shared–is found in…
Read MoreThe Real Thing: Coke Advertising
I’ll confess. I’m deeply biased when it comes to my favorite carbonated beverage. If it’s not a Coca-Cola, it’s not a cola. I don’t know if I was born with…
Read MoreThe Model T Defined an Era
The Model T was not Henry Ford’s first car, but it might’ve been his best. Also known as the “Tin Lizzie” or “Leaping Lena” or “Jitney” or “Flivver,” the Model…
Read MoreNetwork News is Born!
If your over 40, you remember a day when the three big networks (ABC, CBS, NBC) dominated the television news landscape. Indeed, the 1960s and 1970s were the “golden age”…
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