We’ve all heard our parents’ exaggerated stories about how “harsh” their childhoods were. “I used to walk five miles just to get to school,” they’d say. But was there any truth to the tall tales? Perhaps so. Long before padded…
Before the high-tech, soaring roller coasters of today’s amusement parks, there were rides that would probably never pass inspection: rickety wooden coasters, seatbelt-less bumper cars, and questionable Tilt-a-Whirls. Still, these parks were a place of joy, and could be found…
Long before Utah made soda bars trendy, soda fountains had already become beloved hangout spots in cities across America. Featuring a wide array of fizzy concoctions, spinning bar stools, and sweet treats, they served as the backdrop for first dates,…
When it comes to making bold statements in fashion and decor, the 1980s tend to come to mind. From power suits with shoulder pads to interiors dripping with glossy lacquer and brass accents, everything was designed to catch the eye.…
Paris in the 1920s was abuzz with jazz, fashion, and art. The city became a living canvas for creativity and new beginnings, and pulsed with the energy of writers, painters, and musicians who turned cafes into offices and sidewalks into…
Before smartphones and social media took over and shrunk our attention spans, 1995 thrived on Walkmans, floppy disks, and Windows 95 loading screens. You still had to rewind your VHS tapes and wait for your dial-up to connect before chatting…
Boasting big hair, leather pants, and more eyeliner than an emo show, hair bands in the ’80s didn’t just play music — they embodied it. Bands like Mötley Crüe and…
If you lived through 1962, you know it was a year full of memorable moments. Marilyn Monroe sang “Happy Birthday” to the President (and passed away just a few months…
The year 1999 doesn’t seem so distant — until you see the photos and realize it was nearly 30 years ago. Standing on the edge of a new millennium, it…
On July 22, Ozzy Osbourne — leader singer of the heavy metal band “Black Sabbath” — passed away at the age of 76. The singer, also known as The Prince…
The year 1976 wasn’t just a celebration of America’s 200th birthday. It was a full-blown cultural mixtape, blasting everything from disco hits to rodeo anthems. The women grew their hair…
Long before smartphones and streaming playlists on Spotify, people found joy in the dizzying spins and quick footwork of swing dancing. From smoky nightclubs to wartime USO halls, swing dancing…
E.T. phoned home, Michael Jackson dropped Thriller, and the world got its first taste of a compact disc. Personal computers and Ataris were creeping into living rooms, and “Blade Runner”…
Whether it was disco beats dominating dance parties, shag carpeting that was somehow still in style, or fashion choices that were sure to turn heads (hello, sparkly sequins and ultra-wide…
From video games and Tamagotchis to action figures and gag gifts, the ’90s were a decade of unforgettable toys and other fads (bring back flared jeans!). While you might think…
From the hard work and discipline that went on behind the scenes to the camaraderie and support among performers, there’s something pretty nostalgic about circus life. For many, the circus…
Mirrored balls spun. Platforms clacked. The bassline thumped like a heartbeat across neon-lit dance floors. In the late 1970s, disco was an entire movement. Born in underground clubs and fueled…
From flared pants and feathered hair to muscle cars and anti-war protests, the early ’70s were a time of cultural shakeups and clashing ideals. In America, you could hear and…