January 1, 1863 The Emancipation Proclamation takes effect, freeing enslaved people in Confederate-held territory. January 1, 1892 Ellis Island opens to process immigrants in New York Harbor. January 1, 1934 Alcatraz Island, in San Francisco Bay, becomes a federal prison. January 1, 1983 ARPANET officially switches to Internet Protocol, forming the foundation of the modern internet. January 2, 1890 Alice […]
In the U.S., New Year’s Day is becoming a time to relax and recover from the previous holidays. Morning hours can include watching the spectacular Rose Bowl Parade on television and later seeing the game. Americans generally ignore the good-luck traditions that are popular in other countries. But a large percentage of us still think we can cook and eat […]
We had one correct answer for our December’s What Is It. Norman Thompson of Louisville, Colorado correctly identified the object as an apple peeler or parer. The object to the left is an apple parer. This particular one is a painted Pennsylvania Dutch decorated 2-foot-long apple parer. It is meant to be straddled. It includes the name of Samuel Skann, […]
Dear Dames, Many of you have reached out to express concern over the recent demolition of the East Wing of the White House. Like you, I was deeply unsettled to see such a significant alteration to what is, in every sense, the People’s House. As the National President of the NSCDA, an organization devoted to historic preservation, I believe this […]
Each December the town of Georgetown transforms for two weekends into a bustling Christmas scene reminiscent of Christmas of long ago. Thousands come to this tiny mountain town to experience a traditional holiday where Christmas hasn’t changed in 100 years: roasted chestnuts, holiday shopping, horse-drawn wagon rides through historic Georgetown, and wonderful sights and smells. Visitors enjoy appearances by St. […]
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