The American Civil War was a particularly bloody period in the tumultuous history of the USA. It split the country down the middle and framed the abolitionist movement of the time, on one side the Confederacy (South) and on the other side the Union (North). Like all great battles in history, it has...

Jazz comes deep from the soul of the Afro-American tradition in the USA, emerging from the Southern States during a time of great political and social strife. Music was a great release in the pressure cooker that was America in the early 20th Century and this kind of music captures perfectly the fer...

Mardi Gras is part of the fabric of USA life. Having been brought to the Deep South by the early French settlers, it has become a hybrid of Catholic tradition and partying which draws thousands of tourists each year. The date that it starts fluctuates, but usually commences on Ash Wednesday. Next ye...

The bicycle is one of the most energy efficient modes of transport there is. When the whole world relies so heavily on dirty fossil fuels, which pollute the atmosphere, cost billions of dollars to maintain and cause countless ecological disasters. Sometimes you have to sit and wonder the logic of it...

The Wright Brothers became living legends in the USA for inventing the first aircraft and started the ball rolling on a huge revolution in aerospace, yet it is important to remember the contribution of the hot air balloon. Seen today as something of a recreational fancy, you must understand there is...

The USA has a deep affinity with horses that goes back to the time of the Pilgrims. The horse is a great symbol of the wildness of the American landscape and it goes right to the heart of the American identity. Nobody personifies this special relationship between man and horse better than the cowboy...

The capital of any country is typically blessed with some of the most iconic landmarks and architecture that the nation has to offer. It is also commonly the greatest source of national pride and togetherness, where the biggest rallies of people collect in protest and in celebration. In Washington D...

The White House Easter Egg Roll officially dates back to 1878 and the presidency of Rutherford B. Hayes, but first-hand accounts suggest that informal festivities began with egg-rolling parties under President Abraham Lincoln. Starting in the 1870s, Easter Monday celebrations on the U.S. Capitol's w...