Category Archives: History

Remembering “Satchmo” Louis Armstrong’s Funeral July 9, 1971

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Fifty Two Years Ago Today Was The Funeral Of Louis Armstrong

Is “Satchmo” Remembered Today?

Louis Armstrong funeral July 9, 1971 photo: Globe

It is impossible to say who will be remembered by the multitudes years after their passing. I would hope Louis Armstrong will be among those whose name and music goes on for eternity.

Louis Armstrong brought love and joy everywhere he went. And the world universally returned that love.

On July 6, 1971 Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong died at the age of 69 of a heart attack in his home in Corona, Queens. Continue reading →

New York City July 4, 1958 – Where Is Everyone?

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The Deserted City – New York July 4, 1958

Where Did They All Go?
New York – July 4, 1958 This lonesome little dachshund has the center of Madison Avenue, normally a busy thoroughfare all to himself as millions of New Yorkers left the city for the holiday weekend. Some three million jammed beaches in the New York area. Photo was made at Madison Avenue and 30th Street. photo: AP Wirephoto

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New York City Prostitution in 1870

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New York Prostitution By The Numbers – 1870

Over 10,000 Prostitutes Of All Types In A City of 942,292

A Mix Of Farmers Daughters, Servants, Teetotalers, Drunkards, Native Born, Recent Immigrants, Widows, The Young, Single & Refined Ladies & Illiterates

Illustration From George Ellington's book The Women Of Of New YorkFrom an interesting and self-published 1870 book, Personals or Perils of the Period by Joseph Hertford comes this analysis of the prostitutes of New York. There were at least 10,000 prostitutes coming from various work backgrounds and social statuses. Excerpting from this chapter, Hertford writes: Continue reading →

Old New York In Photos #154 – 1920, New Traffic Tower On 42nd St. & 5th Ave

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Fifth Avenue & 42nd Street With New Traffic Signal Tower 1920

This amateur snapshot captures the manually operated signal tower to control traffic along the busy stretch of Fifth Avenue at 42nd Street. We are looking north from 42nd Street with Temple Emanu El beyond the flags.

The tower was active in February 1920 to “control congestion,” not just for vehicles but pedestrians. Continue reading →

This 1942 Movie Contains A Great Lesson About Academic Freedom & Free Speech

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The Male Animal & Henry Fonda’s Speech On Academic Freedom & Free Speech

Henry Fonda in The Male Animal (1942)

When one reads or hears about the fear of debate and the airing of opposing viewpoints at colleges, it is indicative of a disheartening and sickening trend towards academic totalitarianism.

The issue is not a new one.

The following dialogue is from the 1942 film The Male Animal and describes exactly the quandary we are facing today. Continue reading →

Old New York In Postcards #28 – Feltman’s Restaurant Coney Island

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Feltman’s Giant Restaurant, The Forerunner of Nathan’s Coney Island

A brief description of Feltman’s from The New York Hotel Record July 9, 1912:

The Magnitude of Feltman’s Garden Coney Island New York

One of the largest and most unique restaurants and cafés in this country is Feltman’s at Coney Island New York was established in 1873 (ed. – actually 1871) with six employees and it now has a pay roll of more thirteen hundred names. Continue reading →

1945 – The Future Is Television, Including Home Shopping

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Post WWII – Television Is Coming To Your Home

In late Summer 1945, with total victory secured, manufacturers could soon begin producing consumer products rather than armaments. With the transition would come amazing technological advances. Continue reading →

Joe DiMaggio Promotes Camel Cigarettes

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Joltin’ Joe Enjoys Smoking Camel, The Cigarette With 28% Less Nicotine

Joe DiMaggio’s swing takes up half the space in this Camel cigarette ad which ran in Time Magazine April 6, 1942. It’s as good a way to promote smoking than just showing DiMaggio smoking.

Capturing reader’s attention is always the hard part of magazine advertising. So the series of photos of DiMaggio’s swing probably gets you to examine the page. Generally people buy news magazines to read them, not look at the ads.

Companies have always believed that to attract customers, you should have a celebrity push your product. Continue reading →