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.
The music of New Orleans is not just considered a birthplace of jazz music but carries various styles of music. It is a unique global collaboration that gave birth to an exceptional musical genre that was never experienced tradit
Walt Disney World really is one of the happiest places on earth so, arguably, anytime is the best time to visit Disney! The yummy food you won’t normally have on a regular day, kids dressed up in their favorite Disney characters, thrilling rides, and an explosive sight of fireworks to end the perfect day! It is no wonder that over 58 million people visit Disney World each year. However, a few things can put a damper on any vacation: long lines, crowds, and bad weather. So, when will be the best time to visit Disney?
There are plenty of reasons to visit Las Vegas, though it is a city that’s most famous for being the casino capital of the United States - and the world. Its entire existence is owed to the casino industry which evolved in Vegas to serve the crowds of workers involved in the construction of the nearby Hoover Dam. For a long time, the state of Nevada was the only place in North America where it was possible to play games like blackjack, baccarat, and slots. However, other parts of the country and the world have begun to offer up alternatives In the US, Atlantic City has established itself as a rival to Vegas, while many other states have also allowed casinos to open up within their borders. In other parts of the world, Singapore, Macau, and Monaco have become recognised as great destinations for those that want to [...]
On this day in 1513, Ponce de Leon set sail from Puerto Rico to find the fabled Fountain of Youth. Caribbean Indian legends spoke of waters, a drink of which would guarantee a life free from the worries of old age.
It was 1902 and automobiles were quickly becoming the vehicle of choice. Road conditions, however, were deplorable. The relatively small number of drivers had to fight for the right to even use some roads in favor of horse drawn carriages. Small groups of drivers had formed clubs across the country to exchange driving and automobile tips. AAA logo The Founding of AAA On March 4, 1902 a group of approximately 1000 automobile enthusiasts and members of these clubs joined forces in Cleveland, Ohio to form a not-for-profit lobbying organization. Over time, the AAA enhanced membership benefits. The first road maps were published in 1905 and hotel guides followed in 1917. Today, the not-for-profit organization provides emergency roadside assistance to members, and has expanded its offerings to include various financial and travel-arrangement services. AAA offers credit cards, insurance, and vehicle financing, and it operates travel agencies and publishes [...]
Birth of a future Global Citizen On this Labor Day season in history, World Footprints host Tonya (Johnson) Fitzpatrick was born. Having grown up as a "Trekkie", thanks to her late father, today also carries another special memory. Live Well and Prosper Star Trek is an American science fiction media franchise created by Gene Roddenberry, which began with the eponymous 1960s television series and quickly became a worldwide pop-culture phenomenon. The franchise has expanded into various films, television series, video games, novels, and comic books. With an estimated $10.6 billion in revenue, it is one of the most recognizable and highest-grossing media franchises of all time. The franchise began with Star Trek: The Original Series, which debuted in the US on September 8, 1966 and aired for three seasons on NBC. It was first broadcast on September 6, 1966 on Canada's CTV network. It followed the voyages of the starship USS Enterprise, a space exploration vessel built by the United Federation of Planets in the 23rd century, on a mission "to explore [...]
On April 28, 1988, Aloha Airlines Flight 243 took off from Hilo International Airport at 1:25 PM for the short flight to Honolulu. On board were 90 passengers and five crew members. At approximately 1:48 the aircraft reached its flight altitude of 24,000 feet when a section of the hull on the forward left side of the plane ruptured. The aircraft suffered an immediate and explosive decompression, ripping away a large section of the hull along the roof of the plane.
Cinco de Mayo ("5th of May") is more than an excuse to drink margaritas. The festival actually commemorates the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862 - a victory of Mexican forces led by General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguín over the French. The date is observed as a celebration of Mexican heritage and pride around the world. The Battle of Puebla delayed the French invasion of Mexico City. Five years later, Mexican forces defeated the French and expelled them from Mexico. Cinco de Mayo is a holiday that commemorates a battle fought in Mexico on the fifth of May in 1862—a battle that became an unexpected victory for the Mexican army over the French forces. Mexico was attacked by foreign troops because President Benito Juárez defaulted on his payments to European nations after war had depleted the country’s ability to pay. Mexico had endured three wars that put their country [...]
Driving east on I-40 toward the Great Smoky Mountains, a huge golden ball known as the Sunsphere guides you into downtown Knoxville, Tennessee.
Birmingham, Alabama - the Magic City - saw events and courageous people who played a central role in the Civil Rights struggle. World Footprints goes on a walking tour through history along the Civil Rights Heritage Trail as we step onto the grounds where African Americans confronted Jim Crow era voilence with non-voilent civil disobedience.
A friend invited me to share a house with her and a few other friends in Martha’s Vineyard over the Fourth of July weekend last year. Hearing stories of the Kennedys and the Obamas vacationing there, I assumed it would be a stuffy, pretentious community for the rich and famous. This was not the case.
Americans have recognized black history annually since 1926, first as "Negro History Week" and later as Black History Month and we greatly owe the celebration of this month of Black Heritage, more so, the study of black history to Dr. Carter G. Woodson. The Harvard scholar was disturbed to find that history books largely ignored the black American population-and when blacks were depicted, they were reflected as socially inferior and stero-typed in a very uncomplimentary fashion. Today, thanks to Dr. Woodson and others the historical story of how the month-long celebration of African-Americans came about is amazing and inspirational. But the celebration of African-Americans should not be limited to just one month. Throughout the year there are many lesser known sites around the country where you can celebrate the contributions of African-Americans in a unique way. The African-American Heritage Trail is quite long and the short list that follows doesn’t begin to [...]
