In New York City, Thanksgiving holds the distinction of being the preferred wedding day for Chinese immigrants, given that it’s typically the one day when entire families aren’t working. Due to the high demand, restaurants must be reserved a year ahead, and it’s not uncommon for a single venue to...
Whimsical Tales: America’s Founders in Japanese Lore
In a 1861 Japanese publication detailing the supposed “history” of the United States, imaginative illustrations depicted George Washington engaging in a fistfight with a tiger and John Adams vanquishing a colossal serpent.
Chicago Onion Monopoly: The 1955 Market Manipulation and Subsequent Legislation
The Onion Futures Act is a piece of legislation in the United States that prohibits the trading of onion futures contracts. In 1955, a pair of traders acquired a substantial amount of onions and futures contracts, ultimately gaining control over 98% of the onions in Chicago. To compel growers to...
Benjamin Franklin’s Fugio Cent: A Call to Focus on Affairs
The initial U.S. coin to officially circulate, known as the Fugio Cent, featured the phrase “Mind Your Business” rather than “In God We Trust.” Benjamin Franklin is thought to have designed the coin, according to some sources. As a prominent and accomplished entrepreneur, historians theorize that Franklin used the term...
Salisbury Steak: American Dish Inspired by European Tastes and Health Advocacy
Originating in the United States, Salisbury Steak was created to cater to the preferences of European immigrants and was named in honor of Dr. James Salisbury, an advocate of a meat-centric diet for improved health. Since 1897, the term “Salisbury Steak” has been associated with a main course featuring a...
Cadillac’s 1930s Policy Reversal: Embracing Diversity and Boosting Sales
In the beginning of the 1930s, Cadillac had a policy that prohibited the sale of cars to African Americans. However, in 1933, Nicholas Dreystadt, a mid-level manager at General Motors, boldly interrupted a GM executive committee meeting and persuaded them to abandon this policy, advocating for marketing efforts targeting the...
Bicycles: Catalyst for Women’s Liberation and Fashion Shift
Bicycles emerged as a key factor in the early women’s liberation movement, providing women with the opportunity to break free from their reliance on men for transportation. This sense of autonomy also played a part in the gradual shift away from corsets and long skirts during the early 20th century.
Puyi’s Journey: From Last Emperor to Humble Gardener
Puyi, the last emperor of China, had lived a life of luxury where he never had to perform basic tasks such as brushing his teeth or tying his shoelaces. At the age of 44, after being placed in a communist reeducation prison program in 1950, he finally faced these mundane...
5 Fascinating Facts About the Mayflower You Never Knew
1. From Patuxet Village to Plymouth Colony: Before the Mayflower docked on the shores of Massachusetts, a flourishing Patuxet village stood proudly on the coast. Tragically, a devastating epidemic wiped out a staggering 90% of the native population. When the pilgrims arrived, they transformed the deserted settlement into what would become...
Behind the Scenes of ‘The Shining’: 5 Intriguing Film Facts
Delve into the mysterious world of ‘The Shining,’ one of the most iconic horror films of all time, with these five fascinating behind-the-scenes facts. 1. The iconic “Here’s Johnny” line from The Shining actually originated from The Johnny Carson Show. When Jack Nicholson spontaneously delivered the line during filming, director Stanley...