The 20th Century

We all have our favorite Presidents based on how we feel about them as individuals and their particular politics. But do you know about the criminal (or less than moral) Presidential administrations of the past? We like to think that we elect Presidents whose associations are beyond reproach yet that is rarely the case. In fact, some of the more corrupt administrations (remember Iran-Contra?) have been the most popular. Whether it involves their sexual escapades (almost half of Presidents - including George Washington - were rumored to have mistresses, and two were rumored to be gay or bisexual) or outright crimes, some of the more outrageous Presidential missteps are highlighted below.

You may be surprised to know that until the Great Depression children were an important part of the work economy in the United States. In textile mills and coal mines where their small size was an asset, in canneries, and on farms (not just family farms), children performed many vital tasks. Working conditions were rough, and thanks to photographers like Lewis Wickes Hine we have these photos to document what these children endured. We were shocked by these photos, and think you might be too.

From World War 2 through the declaration of peace and into the birth of the Baby Boomers, life in the 1940's wasn't easy. But our parents and grandparents lived their lives with courage, honor, and great optimism about the future. The war and the Great Depression was over, the Dust Bowl was gone - almost 20 years of tough challenges - and life was good again. These are some of the many 1940s photos that shows what the previous generations lived through, and what they did to thrive.

Valentine’s Day is the perfect day to remember the ones who made your heart skip a beat. The parents who nurtured you, the spouses and partners who stood by your side, and yes even the exes who taught you valuable lessons. These photos of old Valentine's cards, sweethearts, and couples from the past are a beautiful reminder that love never changes, only the ways in which we express it. For over a thousand years, people all over the world have set aside a day to celebrate love in all its forms - from family and friends to romantic partners.

Women finally had the vote, more people began living in cities rather than on farms, alcohol was illegal (leading to lots of illegal drinking and sin taxes), the beginning of jazz, hems got short and women showed some skin . . . many thought it was the beginning of immorality. This was the roaring 1920’s - the decade that influenced all decades that followed.

School's out, summer has begun - and hot weather is here. Some things rarely change and even 100 years ago traditional summer vacations almost always included a trip to the beach. However, how we dress for our beach adventures has dramatically changed since the late 1910's - 1920's. Could you imagine wearing these outfits during a Summer heat wave? Enjoy these ten hot summer photos from 100 years ago - and consider yourself lucky for not having to wear these bathing suits to the beach!

"It's not easy being green" - Kermit the frog. We could just as well say "it's not easy being a woman", at least a woman in the past. These images contain the faces of powerful women who worked to change the world, change their own lives, help others, and labored with power and courage fighting for civil rights. These women employed their talents and abilities without many of the privileges and rights that we have today. How much more can we do today, thanks to their efforts yesterday?