Archive Pages
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Labor Day
Aug 31
Labor Day was declared a national holiday in 1894 and is observed on the first Monday in September. The roots of Labor Day grew out of violent clashes between labor and police during the Haymarket Riot in 1886, when thousands of workers in Chicago took to the streets to demand an eight-hour workday. Peter J. McGuire, a carpenter and labor union...
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Frisbee
Aug 29
Everyone is familiar with the sport of 'Frisbee Throwing'. How it all got started is an interesting story. The first Frisbee’s were actually pie pans- but not just any pie pans. In the 1870s a Civil War veteran named William Russell Frisbie opened a bakery in Bridgeport, Connecticut. His pies were well liked locally and his son Joseph expande...
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Life for Our Ancestors in the 1910s
Aug 27
It was a difficult time, the 1910s for many Americans. Very little technology, war was ongoing in Europe, and the choices that Americans have come to expect—in their cars, clothes, food, and homes—were preceded by a monotonous consumer economy. In 1915, Americans walked everywhere (or took a streetcar, if they lived in cities), lived in three-...
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Slang of the 1960s
Aug 25
The 'Swinging 60s' did have their selection of slang phrases and words. You may well remember many of these. Dullsville – This referred to a very boring place, especially many small towns. Grody – Something that was disgusting or gross. Bippy – It was one's backside and became quite popular on the 1960s TV show 'Laugh In' when us...
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Sneakers
Aug 23
Some type of ladies' sneaker has been popular during the 20th century and into the 21st century but each era's style was quite different. In the 1910s, a lady's sports footwear was a bit formal, not wanting to appear too masculine then. Even to play tennis the lady wore short high heeled shoes. In the 1920s, the rubber sole saddle shoes came ou...
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NYC in 1900
Aug 21
New York City has been a major landing spot for both newly-arrived immigrants and for Americans seeking a new life in the big city. Starting in the early 1800s, the city became a hub of activity. Not only did the increasing population mean that there was always something to buy or sell in this large city, but the ports of New York had a steady flo...
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Tradition of Dance Cards
Aug 19
Decades ago the best place to meet other young people in an area was at a dance. Of course, there were plenty of adults to watch that the young people behaved. Some of the ladies were very popular and all the fellows wanted dance with those girls. To make it fair to the ladies and the fellows, women could jot down the names of their would-be pa...
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The Teddy Bear
Aug 17
Nothing speaks volumes of one's childhood since 1900 than one's own 'Terry Bear'. I'm sure everyone remembers their terry bear and what it meant to them. German businesswoman Margarite Steiff was stricken with polio early in life, but still received an education thanks to her siblings faithfully loading her into a hay cart and taking her to sch...
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Caring for Vintage Jewelry
Aug 15
You consider yourself very lucky if you have some heirloom, vintage jewelry handed down over the generations. Even one piece is precious. But any vintage jewelry must be cared for. If a piece has amassed soil or dirt on it, try the following. Soiled items you can use a mixture of baking soda and water, gently scrubbing with a toothbrush, but ne...
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What Earlier Teenagers had to Deal With
Aug 13
Your ancestors as teenagers in the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s had to deal with situations that teenagers in the 2020s would never have to deal with. Here is a look at some such events. See if you remember any or your ancestors faced. Sitting through TV commercial breaks -- change the channel or view commercial-free programs. Reading dozens of bo...