74 years ago today the United States dropped the second of two atomic bombs on Japan. This happened in the city of Nagasaki, where over 100,000 people were killed. Ever since the world entered the era of using weapons of mass destruction, we have hoped that the lessons of Hiroshima and Nagasaki would prevent anyone […]
Read More Hiroshima and Nagasaki: History That is Always On the Mind of True LeadersHappy 84th birthday to one of America’s greatest Icons: Mr. Lee Corso. Every saturday in the fall, over two million college football fans tune in to watch Mr. Corso on ESPN’s “College Gameday.” His first appearance on the popular show was in 1987, and since then he has been the main attraction. His knowledge, wit, […]
Read More Lee Corso: Child of Non-English Speaking Immigrants Who Became an American IconThe history of August 6th is a rich and wide ranging. It is a day that shows the many complex sides of the human story. 1. 74 years ago today, the United States dropped the first of two atomic bombs on Japan, killing approximately 150,000. There is no telling how this decision by President […]
Read More August 6th: A Day Filled with History of Every KindHappy 93rd birthday to Mr. Tony Bennett. You probably have some idea that Mr. Bennett is one of the most successful recording artists of all time. He has sold over 50 million records, won 19 grammy awards, has been a Kennedy Center Honoree, and most impressively is still recording and touring with as much vigor […]
Read More Tony Bennett: One of the Greatest Living AmericansJohn F. Kennedy’s childhood was far from ideal, even farther from easy. When he was three years old he contracted scarlett fever, which hospitalized him for nearly three months. Later in his childhood and teenage years he suffered from diphtheria, appendicitis, whooping cough, jaundice, asthma, and pneumonia. By the time he turned 17, he had spent […]
Read More John F. Kennedy: From Sickly Kid to War HeroEmmett Till should have turned 78 today. If you don’t know the story of Emmett Till, you should. It is one of the major sparks that set the American civil rights movement. Till was just 14 years old, visiting family in Money, Mississippi. He spoke to a white woman in a grocery store. She went […]
Read More Emmett Till: He Never Got the Chance To Be a Man.In 1957, Frankie Lymon was one of the most exciting and popular singers in America. He had an angelic voice, good looks, and an unteachable charisma. Backed by his band, “The Teenagers”, his song “Why do fools fall in love” had made him a household name the year before. They were five kids from Washington […]
Read More The Black and White T.V. of “The Good Old Days”Happy birthday to Ms. Toni Stone, the first female professional baseball player. She was born on July 17, 1921 in St. Paul, Minnesota. Her parents stressed the importance of success in school to her, but all she wanted to do was play ball. As a child, she played any sport she could, never afraid to […]
Read More Toni Stone: You Wish You Could Play Ball Like This GirlAlong the waterfront of Portland, Oregon is a statue of a woman sitting in a position like she is inviting you to come tell her your story. Thousands walk, run, and bike by her every day. I wonder how many of those people know her story. Her name is Vera Katz, and she is the […]
Read More Vera Katz: Portland’s Own Lady LibertyHappy 77th birthday to Harrison Ford, the highest grossing domestic actor in American history! Ford is a lesson in perseverance. When he was in his late 20’s, he was married with children and getting very small acting roles, if any. He was frustrated, but wanted to keep giving acting a try while supporting his family. […]
Read More Harrison Ford: From Building the Set to Starring On It
