Stories of America’s Past

Welcome to America Comes Alive!, a site I created to share little-known stories of regular people who made a difference and changed the course of history. Look around and see what inspires you! — Kate Kelly

Kate Kelly

  • Matthew Henson, Co-Discoverer of the North Pole

    Matthew Henson (1866–1955) was the ultimate American explorer—brave, skilled, and unbreakable. For decades, however, history relegated him to the shadows because he was Black. Hired originally as a personal valet by well-known explorer Robert Peary, Henson proved to be far more than a servant. He was the critical asset that made Peary’s obsession with the North Pole possible. Yet, in 1909, when Peary and Henson reached what was determined to be the North Pole, Peary…
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  • Women in Medicine: Little Known Crusaders

    In the early 19th century, the American medical field was almost exclusively a men’s club. However, a few resilient women refused to accept the status quo, stepping forward as pioneers to carve out a new path. Today, that landscape is shifting dramatically. While men currently account for 61% of active physicians in the U.S., women now make up the majority of medical students and residents. We are standing on the brink of a major demographic…
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  • Edmonia Lewis: Sculptor Who Achieved International Fame

    Edmonia Lewis was a groundbreaking sculptor who achieved international fame during the 19th century. She was born to a Black Haitian father and a mother of Native American (Ojibwe) and African descent. Sculpture was not a common art form in America at that time. The fact that Lewis achieved what she did is nothing short of remarkable. Working almost entirely in white Carrara marble, Lewis’s style was neoclassical, but her subject matter often related to…
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  • World War I Forgotten Hero: William Shemin

    William Shemin’s heroic effort during World War I is a profound testament to valor, resilience, and the enduring American spirit. His heroism was undeniably documented by those who fought alongside him, yet the recognition he deserved was delayed for nearly a century by the systemic prejudice of an era that resisted embracing its Jewish soldiers. Despite not receiving the Medal of Honor in 1919, Bill Shemin (1896-1973) remained fully devoted to the United States. He…
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On
This
Day

On June 30, 1859, the Great Blondin (a Frenchman named Jean-Francois Gravelet) became the first daredevil to walk across Niagara Falls on a tightrope. Using only a balancing pole, Blondin crossed on a cable 1100 feet long and about 2 inches in diameter. Some 5,000 spectators were there to see if he would succeed or fail. For Blondin, it was a first in a series of “ascensions” over the Falls.  Each time he varied the challenge.

Heroes & Trailblazers

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Welcome to America Comes Alive!, a site I created to share little-known stories of regular people who made a difference and changed the course of history. Look around and see what inspires you! — Kate Kelly

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Part of the inspiration for this site comes from this remark: “People do not want to hear about simple things. They want to hear about great things – simply told.”

Nobel Peace Prize winner Jane Addams (1860-1935)

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