John Travolta’s charismatic moves in Saturday Night Fever didn’t just light up the dance floor — they ignited a cultural craze. Let’s revisit the phenomenon!
Take a look back at ten old roller coasters from the early 1900s, and admire the courage of the riders who sat down in those rickety little cars and sped off into the wild blue yonder.
As you can see from these vintage Coney Island photos & postcards, This beach area just outside New York City was one of the most popular resorts in the United States.
Explore the sharp style of 1930s suits, from double-breasted jackets to Hollywood swagger, and see what made these vintage looks truly stand out.
The Brooklyn Bridge has been a part of New York’s skyline since 1883, but the history of its construction reveals an incredible story of determination
Here’s a look back at snow removal 100 years ago, so you can see how much work went into clearing cities after blizzards and other big winter storms.
Discover why the Taxi TV show remains a classic, with its unforgettable cast, sharp comedy, and heartwarming moments that still resonate today.
Mrs Annie Edson Taylor, 63 years old, went over Niagara Falls on the Canadian side and survived, a feat never before accomplished when it happened back in 1903. Here’s how it went.
Get the crispiness of fried chicken without the hassle. These oven-fried chicken recipes are easy, delicious and sure to be a hit at your next dinner.
Building the Statue of Liberty took years, and it wasn’t easy! Look behind the scenes into how it was done, plus see close-up shots from renovations.
The charm of a New York City summer vacation — the ideal place for a summer resort? — lies in the unrivaled transportation facilities of the great seaport.
Before air conditioning and refrigerators existed, see some of the ways people managed to stay cool in summer during the great New York heat wave of 1911!
Take a look at these modest old-fashioned swimsuits for men and women, seen on real beachgoers and early movie actresses, with many high-quality and colorized vintage photos!
When you look back at these old photos of skyscraper construction, you’ll see men way up high without harnesses, walking along beams suspended hundreds of feet above the street, and swinging on cables.
E.T. – The Extra-Terrestrial, with his oversized, glowing heart, has been capturing the fancy of moviegoers since he touched down in earthbound theaters to the tune of about $3 million a day.
Take a stroll back to the late 1800s and early 1900s to see some of the grand homes and New York mansions that lined Fifth Avenue.
Discover a curated roundup of must-see vintage Craftsman house plans. Perfect for those interested in classic design, renovation, or new builds.
Remember Barney Miller? This the ’70s police comedy keeps fans coming back. With unforgettable characters and a jazzy theme song, its legacy thrives.
From 1948 to 1971, The Ed Sullivan Show was synonymous with entertainment & a central hub for talent — introducing new acts & creating unforgettable moments.
First appearing on TV in 1975, Welcome Back Kotter would go on to become one of America’s best-loved sitcoms. Most notably, it starred a young John Travolta as Vinnie Barbarino.
Take a look back at “The Odd Couple” — a classic comedy about friendship, divorce & making the most out of life’s second chances.
The gorgeous aerial photos of these city skylines and scenes grant us a bird’s eye view of the evolution of our urban landscapes.
Old streetcars (aka trolleys or trams) are more than just vintage transportation — they’re a window into our past. Streetcars helped shape American cities, and
Vintage 40s diners were descendants of the railroad dining car, and often sported shiny metal on the outside and a long counter with stools on the inside. Take a ride back in time to see 40 examples of roadside diners!
New York City’s luxurious old Waldorf-Astoria hotel was among America’s first big hotels. When it was built during the Victorian era, it was considered the finest hotel in the world – and soon became the most famous, too.
For generations, kids have been playing with Mr Potato Head – but how many remember how they used to look? See vintage original Mr Potato Head toys here, along with many other versions over the years!
You’ve probably never even heard of her, but in her day, “Dead Shot” Mary Shanley was truly a legend. Shanley was a trailblazing female police
If you have ever wondered what it would be like to have lived a century ago, or to have wandered the streets of a much younger Manhattan, you will be amazed by the footage in New York 1911!
Have a look at beautiful vintage landscape photography featuring various natural wonders of the US — as seen around the turn of the last century.
The man behind the famous Hell Gate Brewery, George Ehret, wasn’t just a business success — he was a success as a human. Find out more about his story!
Marshall Pinckney Wilder was a hugely successful comedian during the late 1800s and early 1900s.
Lithographed vintage travel posters like those shown here are now sometimes sold at auction for tens of thousands of dollars, but they began as ads for a burgeoning industry.
In this interview from the 1960s, actor Dustin Hoffman – newly nominated for an Academy Award – explains why he decided to star in a Broadway play, Jimmy Shine.
It’s incredible to see how awesome — in size, in design, in popularity — old-fashioned indoor swimming pools could be. Here, take a look at 10 gorgeous pools from days gone by!
This vintage study’s boho decor included at least eight different styles – and that’s not even to mention the designs featured on the area rugs on the floor.
From the richly ornamental to the whimsical, old-fashioned wood porch bracket designs have enriched the faces of American houses for over a century.
What was a classic Craftsman house like – and what made it unique? Find out more here about this vintage architectural style and its founder, Gustav Stickley – plus see more than 70 old examples of this iconic design.
Tales of courage about people who died on the Titanic fascinate us to this day. Here are stories about some of the ship’s most prominent passengers.
April 22, 1970, was set as the first Earth Day across America – the culmination of demonstrations and teach-ins protesting the deteriorating state of the country’s environment.
Why take the stairs while you can ride up in comfort inside one of these metalwork ‘cage’ style antique elevators, made with beautiful ornamental iron? Just tell the bellhop what floor you want.
We discovered these 22 amazing old pictures of some of the most gorgeous historical hotel lobbies from across the US. Have a scroll and step back in time with us to a more elegant era!
To this day, the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in New York on March 25, 1911, remains the deadliest industrial disaster in the city’s history,
What did old New York look like years ago, after night fell? Here’s a peek at the ‘city that never sleeps’ as it appeared by the light of the moon, the stars… and the skyscrapers.
Dog Day Afternoon is considered one of the greatest movies of the 1970s, and features a stellar lead performance by Al Pacino. And as fictional as the premise sounded, it was based on a real story. Here’s the scoop..
Take a glimpse into what the famous old Macy’s department store looked like just over a hundred years ago – and how it offered its customers a shopping experience like no other.
For generations, mail carriers and other postal workers have worked hard to bring us letters, magazines, packages and more. Here’s a look at how they transported the mail long ago!
One of the most beautiful – and most imaginative – passenger centers in the world was unveiled when Trans World Airlines opened its iconic sixties modernist masterpiece – the TWA Terminal at JFK airport in New York. See it being built here, and how it looked in the early days.
Through this rare collection of photographs and other ephemera, see what New York’s classically elegant old Ritz-Carlton Hotel was like once upon a time, starting when it opened in 1911.
Come take a stroll through these gated gardens, and lose yourself in another era. These photos show how the walled gardens at Gray Gardens in East Hampton, New York looked in the year 1916.
Through 75 artistic antique color covers of The Theatre magazine, take a peek back in time from the first decades of the twentieth century to see these classic actors & actresses who performed onstage more than 100 years ago
Back in the ’60s, The Mamas and The Papas were no ordinary band or singing group – they had that certain extra something that made sure their music would stand the test of time. Here’s a look back.
This flip-over chair – in the original Hudson Valley version of the 1870s or a colorful adaptation – offers the fun of choosing between two seats with a quick flip of a finger.
The Civil War wasn’t going well for the Union in the early weeks of December 1861 – and it was going still worse for William Tecumseh Sherman. Find out why here.
In the ’70s, long before he was the guy millions of Americans knew as a cop on Law & Order, here’s what Jerry Orbach’s home – a New York City brownstone – looked like.
A Tom Collins isn’t a drink just named after some guy, somewhere. Find out the story of ‘Have you seen Tom Collins?’ – and get recipes for four original, old-fashioned versions of the Tom Collins cocktail.
Many of today’s Halloween costumes and the tales of pirate treasure we all know can be traced back to the life and times of the very real person, Captain Kidd. But where is his treasure?
It’s not often you can discover long-lost information about somewhere like New York City’s PJ Clarke’s saloon/restaurant. How much more could there be left to learn about a piece of living history?
When the Titanic sank, it was the biggest ship in the world – and although the movie industry was still young, many cameras were able to cover the disaster. Here’s a look.
What is VJ Day? It means “Victory in Japan” day – the celebration that marked the end of WWII when Japan finally announced its surrender to Allied forces in the summer of 1945. Here’s a look back.
Step back in time with Leonard Bernstein with a vintage profile and snapshots of the maestro’s melodious legacy!
From the 1950s: Sweet Virginia Dare Pink Wine adds the extra sparkle and elegance that makes the difference between just another evening and a good party.
Of Gloria Steinem’s apartment in New York, the feminist icon wrote in 1970s that it offered cheerful rooms to live in and a private place to work. Take a look!
Beatlemania, a generally harmless form of madness for The Beatles, which deluged the United States in 1964, was nothing short of a phenomenon.
Take a look back at how America – and the world – celebrated Victory in Europe Day, meaning World War II was nearly over.
See Victorian house floor plans and exterior views of 7 antique homes from the Civil War era, designed by prominent architects and built during the early 1860s.
Called “the most extraordinary thing that ever happened in American sports,” the streak began on May 15, 1941 when Joe DiMaggio went 1-4 against Chicago White Sox hurler Eddie Smith.
Studio 54 was arguably the most famous – or at the very least, infamous – nightclub of the 1970s & 1980s. It was filled with stars, even when the owners were sent to prison.
George Eastman: The man behind Kodak (1854-1932) George Eastman, founder of Eastman Kodak, and often called “the father of photography” was many things — a
In October 1918, near the end of WWI, The New York Tribune and other newspapers nationwide carried the line at the top of the front page: AMERICA’S HISTORIC ANSWER: UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER.
From Liverpool lad to Beatle & enduring icon – revisit the life of John Lennon. His legacy is more than songs; it’s a committed pursuit of peace & love.
Uncle Sam’s scientists, armed with every known precision test instrument, have set out to answer the much-debated question of “How safe are skyscrapers?”
The great loss of the Titanic: It is now practically certain that 1,492 human beings went to their death in the sinking of the giant ship on the ice banks of Newfoundland.
Here are two views of old Rochester, New York – an overhead view from a new-style camera in the ’20s, and also birds-eye views of the city in 1853 and 1961.
Look back at more than 200 vintage license plates issued through the 20th century – including ones for every American state & territory – plus some special plates, too.
The founder of Kodak built the George Eastman House, a 50-room Colonial Revival mansion in upstate New York. Now a museum, here’s what it looks like.
As these pictures of old post office buildings show, a lot of architecture from around 1900 was beautiful, ornate and built on a grand scale. Take a look!
Her name is Carol Burnett, and her elongated, restless, expressive and oddly beautiful face is one of show business’s favorite funny valentines.
Here are 20 classic mincemeat recipes (used to make the holiday favorite, mince pie) – as remembered through the decades by chefs, cookbook authors, in newspapers and family cookbooks.
Back in the ’70s, Broadway couldn’t miss with Annie – especially when starring actress Andrea McArdle, the spunky, talented 13-year-old who played the title role.
The World Trade Center architect talks about how the towers were originally built, and see a collection of photos taken by visitors to NYC during the months and years before they fell.
Woodstock was supposed to be ‘3 days of peace and music’ – but as these stories from right after the concert describe, it didn’t exactly end up that way.
With a cast headed by Bill Murray, Sigourney Weaver and Dan Aykroyd, the original ‘Ghostbusters’ movie from 1984 had blockbuster written all over it.
On the inside of the pedestal of the world-famous New York landmark is the Statue of Liberty poem, written by Emma Lazarus to welcome immigrants and visitors to America.
In the olden days, you needed a telephone operator to connect your call manually through a switchboard. Her job wasn’t as easy as you might think.
Houdini’s underwater box escape was one of his most famous tricks – he was was shackled, chained and nailed into a box before being thrown overboard.
Sometimes life is like a movie, like actor Matt Dillon’s life. Nothing much happened to him until age 14, when he was discovered at a New York junior high.
Legendary beauty Lillie Langtry was a statuesque blonde with blue eyes, a perfect complexion and a ravishing figure. She was acclaimed by the social set, and became the mistress of The Prince of Wales, later King Edward VII.
New York City has provided entertainment to millions over the years. See vintage seating charts from some of the city’s most famous theaters!
The Great Blizzard of 1888 lasted from March 11 through March 14, 1888, and is considered to be one of the most severe recorded blizzards in American history.
Find out about the movie Breakfast at Tiffany’s, get some behind-the-scenes from the actual jewelry store, and hear from Audrey Hepburn herself in this collection of articles from the 1960s.
More than a hundred years ago, daring women started to wear nose rings as a fashion statement. Take a look back at their favorite jewelry styles… and the reaction to the rings.
The band Blondie was discovered one night by some wealthy people out slumming after the theatre, and hired to perform at a party in a posh apartment.
You liked the side action upstairs in the bedroom during the wedding from the book The Godfather? In the movie, you got it. Liked the horse-head bit? You got it. The restaurant caper with the crooked police captain? You got it, you got it.
What is the average lifespan for men and women in America? Among the curious things shown by the census of 1880 is the new data relative to the US life expectancy.
Owney, the world’s most popular dog has traveled almost around the globe. He made the journey around the world all alone and with only a tag about his neck — and found friends everywhere. Here’s the story!
Here are images showing New York City’s growth from a frontier settlement known as New Amsterdam to the metropolis of the western world –through the Colonial times, and in the early days of US independence.
“The greatest man in America” has fallen in a duel The Sprig Of Liberty (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania) – July 27, 1804 DISTRESSING! It is with infinite regret
News was scarce as New York – and the entire world – awaited the survivors of the Titanic disaster, so everyone could find out what really happened.
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Note: ClickAmericana.com features authentic historical information, and is not intended to represent current best practices on any topic, particularly with regard to health and safety, but also in terms of outdated cultural depictions and social values. Material on this site is provided for purposes of education, criticism, commentary, cultural reporting, entertainment, historical reference, and news reporting/analysis. Also, as an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Now that you know, have fun looking around!
