American History in Real LifeMovies in the past have often shown characters that were touched by historical events. Yet sometimes, the truth is often more fantastic than anything Hollywood can devise. These stories of real people show how the events of the past touched their lives. Some times the stories are dramatic, sometimes simple, but all in all they weave a tapesty of the richness of the American experience.
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© John Norvell
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Category Archives: Social History
Since 1971, Santa Claus has come to my house. That was the first year that a 12 inch-tall standup Christmas card of Santa, holding a pipe with a heart applique in the billowing smoke, arrived in the mail. It … Continue reading →
They are all similar – old, cracked and sometimes faded; the newer ones in washed out color. There is a commonality to them that may not be readily apparent. They are photos of young American men and women in uniform. … Continue reading →
Families often have stories that are not shared with younger members, one such story concerned my grandfather. My grandfather Hamilton Redfield Norvell was born in Detroit in 1863, when his father died in 1881 leaving the family with … Continue reading →
Living in upstate New York, I have recently discovered, nearly every person has a story to tell of hitting a deer, or two or three. (Actually numbers show that 80,262 people hit deer in recent years in New York.) Now I realize … Continue reading →
Ground troops face a great deal of stress in combat, no doubt about that. Air crews have it much easier. It is all very impersonal. It is as if one gets into a “flying office” goes to work and … Continue reading →
Living in upstate New York other people, who don’t live here, are always fascinated with the weather here in the winter. Since we grew up in this area it really is no big deal to us. In fact, the area … Continue reading →
From 1857-1860 Alexander Hamilton Redfield, my great great grandfather served as the Indian agent for the Sioux nation at a time of great change. On July 4, 1858, Redfield celebrated the 82nd anniversary of the Nation’s independence at Fort Union. … Continue reading →