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.
World Footprints traces one of the most historic and courageous journeys in North America—the Underground Railroad route that carried enslaved people from bondage to freedom. This episode follows a trail that begins in Norfolk, Virginia and ends in Buxton, Ontario, with stops in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania and Lewiston, New York.
As the country concerned itself with the U.S. government shutdown, an elephant seal colony decided to make a North California beach their new home on the sand.
For those adventurous enough and not scared of heights, there is a new attraction in Las Vegas that is sure to give people a thrill. The new attraction is called the FLY LINQ at the LINQ Promenade, which is a zip line along the infamous Vegas strip. The zip line opened up on Jan. 1 and has a special superheroes theme display.
Join World Footprints as we embark on an exciting journey in Big Sky Country, Montana, where we uncovered new dinosaur fossils and other incredible treasures. Our recent trip offered a hands-on experience in paleontology, making it an adventure of a lifetime.
The War of 1812 was over. On December 12, 1814, the United States and Britain signed the Treaty of Ghent ending the war. Unfortunately, American forces under the command of General Andrew Jackson and British forces encamped near New Orleans were unaware of that fact. The two armies had faced each other off south of New Orleans since mid-December and news traveled slowly.
Although the Times Square Ball made it’s debut on the roof of One Times Square in New York on December 31, 1906 to ring in 1907, Dick Clark began a new holiday tradition to televise the international event and surrounding celebrations as his first New Year’s Rockin’ Eve broadcast rang in 1973.
On this day in 2014, President Obama signed a proclamation regarding Wright Brothers Day in which he wrote in part: ...On December 17, 1903, two brothers from Dayton, Ohio, would write their own chapter in America’s long history of discovery and achievement.
On this day in history, December 6, 1773, the Boston Tea Party took place. Patriot leader Samuel Adams organized the "tea party" with about 60 members of the Sons of Liberty, his underground resistance group.
Pinckney Benton Stewart Pinchback on this day in 1872 became the first person of African-American descent to serve as the governor of a U.S. State. Pinchback served as the Governor of Louisiana, rising to the office after serving as the acting lieutenant governor. When the governor of Louisiana was impeached and removed from office, Pinchback became governor for the last few weeks of the term.
Earlier last week, freezing temperatures, powerful winds and high tides off Cape Cod in Massachusetts caused migrating sea turtles to freeze to death. The turtles were trapped in the hook-shaped cape and the low temperatures stifled their ability to successfully make it home. They were immediately immobilized and left to the mercy of the strong winds. Some of the turtles affected by the harsh conditions included one of the smallest and most endangered sea turtles, Kemp’s Ridley. The other affected turtle species were the tropical sea turtles, green turtles, and loggerhead turtle.
On this day in 1835, Samuel Langhorne Clemens was welcomed into the world as the sixth child of John Marshall and Jane Lampton Clemens in the small town of Florida, Missouri. Mark Twain was the sixth of seven children born to John Clemens, a lawyer, and his wife Jane, although three of Samuel’s siblings died in childhood.
The Gettysburg Address on Nov 19, 1863 - "…we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth." Abraham Lincoln, Gettysburg Address, November 19, 1863. On November 19, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln delivered a short speech at the close of ceremonies dedicating the battlefield cemetery at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Honoring a request to offer a few remarks, Lincoln memorialized the Union dead and highlighted the redemptive power of their sacrifice. Placing the common soldier at the center of the struggle for equality, Lincoln reminded his listeners of the higher purpose for which blood was shed. In composing the Gettysburg Address, Lincoln must have been reminded of the words of David Wills, a prominent citizen of Gettysburg charged with cleaning up after the grisly battle of July [...]
