I was thinking about…

I was thinking about…The Fire that Made Chicago into a Titan After 1871 Inferno a Resilient City Emerged By Andy Lee Chicago is known today as one of America's greatest cities, an international hub of culture, commerce, sports and more. But back in 1871, the future was uncertain after a massive fire devastated Chicago, destroying … Continue reading The Fire that Made Chicago into a Titan After 1871 Inferno a Resilient City Emerged

I was thinking about…100 POSTS!!! By Andy Lee Wow y'all, I can hardly believe this right here is my 100th blog post! When I first started this journey of sharing lesser-known historical tales, I never imagined I'd make it to 100 posts. Reaching this milestone is all thanks to wonderful folks like you reading, commenting … Continue reading 100 POSTS!!!!

I was thinking about… New Orleans, Where Jazz Was Born and Still Lives By Andy Lee As a history enthusiast, I wanted to fully explore the origins of how New Orleans became the birthplace of jazz music. As a genre, jazz is considered one of America's great musical contributions to the world. But how exactly … Continue reading New Orleans, Where Jazz Was Born and Still Lives

I was thinking about… When the Buffalo Roamed (How Greed and Policy Lead to Near Extinction of Bison and Decimation of Native Ways) By Andy Lee Y'all, few things represent the wild frontier history of the American West better than the massive bison herds that used to roam the Great Plains. I wanted to dive … Continue reading When the Buffalo Roamed

I was thinking about...Pennsylvania's Role in Abolishing Slavery By Andy Lee I was thinking about Pennsylvania's critical involvement in the abolitionist movement to end slavery in the United States. As the home of a large Quaker population and an important stop on the Underground Railroad, the Keystone State actively fought against slavery decades before emancipation. … Continue reading The Quaker State: Pennsylvania’s Role in Abolishing Slavery

I was thinking about…The Story of Bill Monroe and His Mandolin By Andy Lee I was thinking about the origins of bluegrass music, the high-energy American genre pioneered by musical innovator Bill Monroe. With its fast-paced rhythms, emotional high lonesome vocals and incredible instrumental solos, bluegrass blends old-time string band traditions with blues and jazz … Continue reading The Story of Bill Monroe and His Mandolin

I was thinking about…The King’s Forest By Andy Lee I was thinking about William B. Umstead State Park, just outside Raleigh, NC. I've never actually been there myself, but from the photos I've seen online and what I've read, it looks like a gorgeous oasis of nature surrounded by the growing cities of the Triangle … Continue reading The King’s Forest

I was thinking about…The Coast Guard's Crucial Role in WWII By Andy Lee As I was reading about World War II history recently, I realized just how little attention is given to the United States Coast Guard's critical involvement. Though they tend to be overshadowed by higher-profile military branches, the oft-forgotten Coast Guard served indispensable … Continue reading The Coast Guard’s Crucial Role in WWII

I was thinking about…An Incredible Journey of Survival Against All Odds By Andy Lee I recently found myself intrigued after stumbling upon the astonishing real-life story of the whaleship Essex during research for topics to write about. This unsettling 19th century account of tragedy, desperation and almost unbelievable endurance continues to mesmerize those who dive … Continue reading An Incredible Journey of Survival Against All Odds

I was thinking about…John Frederick Parker By Andy Lee I was thinking about the story of John Frederick Parker, and it really gets the gears turning about human mistakes and how much responsibility can weigh on someone. Even though the huge event he was part of tends to overshadow his role, taking a closer look … Continue reading John Frederick Parker