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.
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 [...]
Summer vacations are all nice and tempting, but have you ever given winter vacations a thought? Flight and hotel prices drop dramatically after the holidays. This is mostly due to the fact that most of us have maximized our vacation days and plans on travelling are no longer there. If you are one of the few lucky ones who has piled up some extra paid leave days, you might be able to take advantage of an incredible trip to Winter getaways for not too much cash. For domestic travels within the USA, it is even more possible than you can imagine.
World Footprints will criss-cross the United States from Las Vegas, and Jacksonville, Florida to Wisconsin and we will put a spotlight on the rich history throughout the Czech Republic. We will also stroll through North Little Rock, Arkansas and journey to Martinique. Veteran travel journalist David Yeskel has seen the evolution of Las Vegas over the decades. From its humble beginnings as "sin city" to the entertainment capital of the world, Las Vegas has survived the odds of a failing economy and multiple attempts to reinvent itself to become a burgeoning metropolis with 2 million residents. But the city has also maintained a small-town feel for its residents amidst the bright lights and glamour. David will offer a different perspective on Las Vegas as well as offer some essential travel tips that can maximize a visit to the city. View of the Las Vegas strip with the New York casino [...]
On this day in the year 1800, President John Adams became the first United States President to move into and take up residence in the Executive Mansion, later to be called "The White House." Adams penned a prayer the next day that read: "I pray Heaven to bestow the best of blessings on this House, and all that shall hereafter inhabit it.
On this date in 1938, alien creatures from Mars invaded the earth, wreaking widespread havoc. At least, that is what some believed after listening to an Orson Wells radio broadcast "War of the Worlds" on the popular Mercury Theatre series on the CBS radio network.
The Centennial Anniversary of the United States was approaching. The French public wanted to present a suitable gift to it's sister democratic republic. The result of much deliberation produced the prototype for the Statue of Liberty. The statue, crated in 214 separate boxes arrived in New York Harbor on June 17, 1885. On October 28, 1886, President Grover Cleveland dedicated the statue that has since stood as a symbol of the best qualities of the American vision. The Statue of Liberty is a copper statue designed by French sculptor Frederic Auguste Bartholdi and built by Gustave Eiffel. The Statue of Liberty design is inspired by Libertas, a robed Roman goddess of liberty from slavery, oppression and tyranny. She holds a torch above her head with her right hand and carries a tablet with Roman numerals spelling out July 4, 1776 inscribed on it and walks forward as a broken chain [...]
