Category Archives: Life in the United States

A Christmas tradition was born in Dublin, Ireland, almost 275 years ago. On April 13, 1742, 700 people packed (sat very close to each other) into Fishamble Hall for a concert to raise (collect) money to help sick and poor … Continue reading →

People who have tried it say it’s therapeutic. What they mean is that doing it makes them feel calm and relaxed. It helps them feel better about themselves and their lives. Forty years ago, a little-known organization called Adventure Cycling … Continue reading →

Welcome! We’re so glad you could join us for Thanksgiving. Come in out of the cold. It’s dipped below (fallen under) 70° F (20° C) outside. Brrrrrrrrr! Jeff has been slaving away (working very hard) in the kitchen all day baking … Continue reading →

Among all the recent political noise, a piece of silence has been noticed by many. The silence is the missing voice of Gwen Ifill, one of the PBS (Public Broadcasting System) Newshour’s co-hosts (two main reporters), who died on Monday, … Continue reading →

War has many unintended consequences (things that happen that no one intended). World War II shrunk (made smaller) the skirt. During World War II, the United States experienced a major change in gender roles (views and responsibilities of men and women). According to the … Continue reading →

The United States and Canada are usually friendly neighbors. We share the longest demilitarized border (without an army or military protection) in the world, and our citizens can travel back and forth without any special visas. But things haven’t always … Continue reading →

Superheroes have been around for many years. Superman is 78 years old. Spider-Man is 56. Captain Marvel, Batman, Wonder Woman, and Captain America are somewhere in between. Most heroes, though, are not super. They don’t appear in comic books, on … Continue reading →

What do you do if you’re the U.S. government and you’re short on (don’t have enough) money? You just print it, of course. During the U.S. Civil War (1861 to 1865), the federal (national) government was nearly broke (without any money). … Continue reading →

Mara Abbott could see it. The finish line. Her life dream. An Olympic victory. A gold medal. Two hundred meters more and her dream would come true. Two hundred meters more and the Olympic gold medal would be hers. Unlike … Continue reading →