North America
Totem Poles of the First Nations in Vancouver Canada. Photo: Tonya Fitzpatrick
“Through travel I first became aware of the outside world; it was through travel that I found my own introspective way into becoming a part of it.”
– Eudora Welty
Explore the history, diverse cultures and traditions of the North American countries of Canada, Mexico and the United States. North American culture reflects both the cultures of its indigenous people- the Native Americans as well as the culture that is influenced by European Colonization.
The United States is the third largest country in the world and one of the most culturally diverse countries of the world. Described as the ‘melting pot‘ of North America , amalgamation of different cultures has given shape to the unique U.S. culture.
Mexico is the most populous state of North America and one of the largest city in the world.
Canada is the largest country of North American region and covering more than half of the continent’s area.
Montgomery was the spark that lit the fuse on the long-simmering fight by African Americans for their civil rights. It began a movement that is still ongoing today.
In the town of Plains, Georgia, President Jimmy Carter was affectionally referred to as “Mr. Jimmy.” Everybody in the tiny town was related to or knew him personally. Never before has a president devoted so much of himself to his hometown both before and after his presidency.
Mexico is comprised of 31 states. One of them, Oaxaca, is known for its indigenous culture and its enormous impact on Mexican cuisine and culture. Quintana Roo, another state on the Yucatán Peninsula, boasts a 206-acre Caribbean-seaside resort, the jungle-surrounded Grand Velas Riviera Maya, which celebrates all of Mexico’s charms with the luxury-VIP vibe turned all the way up.
This episode was recorded on location in Pulaski, Tennessee. Miss Sims shares stories of resilience and transformation, turning her advocacy into a lasting legacy. The Resurrection of Valor statue is a symbol of strength, unity, and courage, reshaping how this town—and the nation—remembers its history.
In this powerful episode of World Footprints, Tonya and Ian Fitzpatrick take listeners on a deeply personal and historic journey to Pulaski, Tennessee—a town known as the birthplace of the Ku Klux Klan but now undergoing a transformation. Their guest, Miss Vivian Leigh Battle Sims (96), an educator, artist, and community leader, has dedicated her life to uplifting the stories of marginalized voices, including the unsung Black Union soldiers who fought bravely during the Civil War.
The husband and wife duo behind this Tennessee-based distillery are redefining whiskey, community, and the legacy of Uncle Nearest one sip at a time.
The Creative Alliance in Baltimore is hosting the powerful traveling exhibit “I’ve Endured: Women in Old-Time Music” from January 3 to March 1, 2025. This exhibit, originally presented at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum in Bristol, shines a spotlight on the pioneering women who shaped old-time music—a genre deeply rooted in Appalachian traditions and American history.
...if you find your way east of Phoenix and approach the small town of Apache Junction, the city lights melt away and the mountains rise to meet you. As cacti replace streetlights and horses replace sports cars, you might wonder if you’ve stepped back into the Wild West.
The surprising southern town of Aiken, South Carolina’s intriguing history includes Native American culture, defining Civil War battles, and a railroad, once considered the world’s longest, that arrived here from coastal Charleston in 1833. After the Civil War, Aiken became a magnet for wealthy northerners. Among them were the Whitneys and Vanderbilts—who were keen on equestrian sports. They called Aiken the “Original Winter Colony.” Southerners flocked here, too, as monied folks from the coast fled malarial areas seeking a wellness retreat. In the name of charm, they all left their mark here.
Viewing the Northern Lights is a magical experience that tops bucket lists everywhere. It beckons travelers worldwide to frosty destinations. From now until 2026, the aurora borealis activity is expected to reach its highest levels in 11 years. This uptick in solar activity makes the current era a particularly good time for aurora-viewing vacations. This winter, why not combine the experience of searching for this natural phenomenon with a cultural experience in your choice of winter wonderlands?
The Glenn H. Curtiss Museum in Hammondsport, New York, honors the memory of an aviation pioneer. Much more than a leader in flight, Curtiss began innovation on bicycles, leading to motorcycles and then airplanes. The museum is filled with just about every form of transportation mankind has used and tells not only Curtiss’s story but also the Hammondsport/Steuben County history of transportation.
On the outskirts of Yellowstone National Park, 128 alpacas peer over the latched fences of Powell, Wyoming’s Arrowhead Alpacas. On the day of my farm visit, owner Jan Sapp unlatches the first fence and fills my palms with feed. I crouch down with my arms outstretched, deferential to the curious animals. Most meet my efforts with unimpressed stares. Only after a few minutes does the bravest alpaca — or perhaps the hungriest — step forward, accepting my offer with a tickle of her tongue.
