History
Celebrating August’s Senior Activism
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- Written by James E. Patterson James E. Patterson
In the history of senior Americans, August is an important month for a law that a former U.S. president called “one of the great peacetime achievements of the American people.”
The History of Ordinary Things: The Egg Carton & Other Egg Tidbits
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- Written by Doris Montag Doris Montag
Did you know?
‘We Hold These Truths to Be Self-Evident …’
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On July 4, Americans celebrate the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Booming Voice: The Greatest Generation’s Last Witnesses
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- Written by Bill Levine Bill Levine
Recently, my retiree-age literature class was discussing the classic ’50s conformity novel, The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit, as if it were a gripping novel of World War II. In fact, there were raw scenes of the main character’s PTSD-inducing war experiences that impacted his rung climbing in the 1950s corporate world.
The Curious Beginnings of Our Everyday Customs
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You cross your fingers for good luck or to excuse yourself from lying, but do you ever wonder how customs like that originated?
The History of Ordinary Things: Cracker Jack
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- Written by Doris Montag Doris Montag
Cracker Jack is an American brand of snack consisting of molasses-flavored, caramel-coated popcorn and peanuts, well known for being packaged with a prize of trivial value. Some food historians consider it the first junk food!
Sixties Flashback: Ben and Fillmore: Two ‘Hippie Bus’ Dudes
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- Written by Randal C. Hill Randal C. Hill
In 1949, Dutch businessman Ben Pon became responsible for putting the first Volkswagen Beetle on America’s roads.
Fodder for Mother’s Day Chats
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If you’re trying to make conversation at your Mother’s Day dinner (or Zoom celebration) this year, try sprinkling some of these facts into the discussion:
Most Stressful Year Ever? 2020 Ranks High; 1862 Highest
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The year that just ended may have been the most traumatic that most of us can remember, but it is not the most stressful year ever, according to an international panel of historians asked to judge the matter.