It’s Almost Independence Day In California


For most of the country, it already is 4th of July and America is already celebrating it’s 250th birthday.  However, on the West Coat, there’s still another hour to go.

In order to welcome the Pacific Time Zone to Independence Day, here’s David Hasselhoff!

Tear down that wall!

American Images, Part Four


The Rat Pack by Phil Stern

We’re only a few hours away from America’s 250th birthday!  And what would an American birthday party be without some American celebrities of the present and the past?

Joan Crawford by Ruth Harriet Louise

Bobby Darin and Sandra Dee by Leo Fuchs

Marlon Brando by Leo Fuchs

Mary Badham and Gregory Peck by Leo Fuchs

Natalie Wood by Alan Grant

Marilyn Monroe and Jack Benny by Phil Stern

James Dean by Phil Stern

John Wayne by Phil Stern

Bruce Conner, Toni Basil, and Teri Garr by Dennis Hopper

Paul Newman by Dennis Hopper

Tuesday Weld by Dennis Hopper

Robert Downey, Jr. by Mary Ellen Mark

Meryl Streep by Mary Ellen Mark

Johnny Depp by Mary Ellen Mark

Great Moments In Television History #42: 1983 Macy’s Fireworks Show


On July 4th, 1983, New Yorkers witnessed what is often described as being the greatest firework shows in history.  The Macy’s Fireworks Show had been an annual tradition since 1976 but 1983 was the first year that the fireworks were shot off from the East River.  Along with commemorating the 4th of July, the massive display was meant to honor the 100th birthday of the Brooklyn Bridge.

The 1983 show was also memorable because it was the first large-scale fireworks show to ever be televised.  In 1983, it was aired on local stations in New York and New Jersey.  In 2000, NBC took over the rights and begin broadcasting the event nationally.  Tomorrow, the 50th annual Macy’s Fireworks Show will be broadcast on NBC and it will be streaming on Peacock.

Previous Moments In Television History:

  1. Planet of the Apes The TV Series
  2. Lonely Water
  3. Ghostwatch Traumatizes The UK
  4. Frasier Meets The Candidate
  5. The Autons Terrify The UK
  6. Freedom’s Last Stand
  7. Bing Crosby and David Bowie Share A Duet
  8. Apaches Traumatizes the UK
  9. Doctor Who Begins Its 100th Serial
  10. First Night 2013 With Jamie Kennedy
  11. Elvis Sings With Sinatra
  12. NBC Airs Their First Football Game
  13. The A-Team Premieres
  14. The Birth of Dr. Johnny Fever
  15. The Second NFL Pro Bowl Is Broadcast
  16. Maude Flanders Gets Hit By A T-Shirt Cannon
  17. Charles Rocket Nearly Ends SNL
  18. Frank Sinatra Wins An Oscar
  19. CHiPs Skates With The Stars
  20. Eisenhower In Color
  21. The Origin of Spider-Man
  22. Steve Martin’s Saturday Night Live Holiday Wish List
  23. Barnabas Collins Is Freed From His Coffin
  24. Siskel and Ebert Recommend Horror Films
  25. Vincent Price Meets The Muppets
  26. Siskel and Ebert Discuss Horror
  27. The Final Scene of Dark Shadows
  28. The WKRP Turkey Drop
  29. Barney Pops On National TV
  30. The Greatest American Hero Premieres
  31. Rodney Dangerfield On The Tonight Show
  32. The Doors Are Open
  33. The Thighmaster Commercial Premieres
  34. The Hosts of Real People Say “Get High On Yourself”
  35. The 33rd NFL Championship Game Is Broadcast In Color
  36. The Sopranos Premieres on HBO
  37. Eisenhower Hosts The First Televised Press Conference
  38. The Twilight Zone Premieres On CBS
  39. The Wolverines
  40. Johnny Carson Talks To Vincent Price
  41. Christopher Lee Introduced Meat Loaf

Let’s Take A Pulp Tour Of The Cities!


by Hubert Rogers

With the 4th of July approaching, let’s celebrate the American city with the pulps! Ever since the early days of the pulp industry, writers and artists have excited readers with stories about the lives of those living in America’s cities. Here, curtsey of some of the best artists to have worked in the industry, is a pulp-guided tour of those cities!

by Rudy Nappi

by Robert Stanley

by Rafael DeSoto

by Robert Stanley

by Victor Olson

by Mike Ludlow

by Lou Marchetti

by Raymond Pease

by Walter Popp

by Robert Bonfils

 

American Images, Part Three


Though it was celebrated long before that, the 4th of July has been an official holiday since 1941.  In honor of Independence Day’s long history, here are some vintage photographs from 4th of July’s of the past.  As you can see, you don’t always need fireworks to celebrate America’s birthday (but it helps!).

1920s

1923

1925

1939

1942

1956

1960s

1969

1970s

1976

1987

1996

 

American Images, Part Two


by Erin Nicole

Today, on the day before the greatest country in the world celebrates its 250th birthday, let’s celebrate America with these pictures taken of its cities.

by William Klein

by Bill Cunningham

by Bill Cunningham

by Frank Larson

by William Klein

by Jules Aarons

by Jules Aarons

by Erin Nicole

by Erin Nicole

by Erin Nicole

by Helen Levitt

by Helen Levitt

by Carol Highsmith

by Carol Highsmith