Bessie Coleman, the World’s First Black Woman Pilot
Bessie Coleman, of mixed descent, a college dropout, was motivated to become a pilot after being taunted by her own brother. She became the world's first black woman to earn…
Rosa Parks, the First Lady of Civil Rights
Congress honored Rosa Parks as "the first lady of civil rights" and "the mother of the freedom movement." She was important early on in the civil rights struggle when in…
Jean Harlow in RED DUST
M-G-M co-starred Clark Gable and Jean Harlow in Red Dust (1932). Their chemistry was immediate and magic. The studio had struck lightning in a bottle focusing on robust romance with…
Joe Louis’ Lifetime Achievements
Not enough people know what Joe Louis achieved in his lifetime. He was one of the greatest heavyweight boxing champions of all time, reigning as such for a record dozen…
Dr. Maya Angelou, A Child Turned Mute
Hard to believe, but absolutely true: Maya Angelou had a hypnotic voice, and spoke eloquently, but as a child she turned mute for a period of five years! Incredibly she…
Rogers Hornsby, “The Rajah”
Rogers Hornsby was a two-time National League Most Valuable Player, a two-time Triple Crown winner, a seven-time National League batting champion, a two-time home run champion, and a four-time RBI…
James Dean’s posthumous Oscar nomination
James Dean was the first actor to receive a posthumous Oscar nomination for best actor following his role in East of Eden (1955). Dean died in an auto accident driving…
When Bette Davis first arrived in Hollywood
When Bette Davis first arrived in Hollywood, the official greeter from the studio missed her at the station. Later he gave as an excuse, "No one looking faintly like an…
The Wise Words of Heavyweight Champion Joe Louis
Heavyweight champion Joe Louis was a great fighter, no doubt of that. He was not known as any kind of philosopher, however he did say, "Everybody wants to go to…
Christy Mathewson Baseball Cards
Christy Mathewson pitched in the major leagues a long time ago, but his name still means a lot. On May 1, 2023 one of his baseball cards -- and "near…