Remember

Jimi Hendrix Experience

noreply@blogger.com (The People History) — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 17:59:00 +0000

Posted By
Sixties pop boy, United Kingdom

Just wanted to add my memory of seeing the Jimi Hendrix Experience in England on their tour with Cat Stevens, The Walker Brothers and Engelbert Humperdinck in the 1960s. Saw The Beatles, Stones and the Yardbirds on other tours. Amazing days. I recently bought a book called Legends On Tour - The Pop Package Tours Of The 1960s which covers a lot of these shows, with great pictures and interviews with the stars. Brought back so many great memories. Check it out.

TV shows I watched in the 70s

noreply@blogger.com (The People History) — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 14:42:00 +0000

Posted By:
John, USA, TV shows I miss from the 70's

I was remembering some of the TV I watched as a child and missing them , just a few of my own favourites I can remember below

Chips
2 officers from the California Highway Patrol riding their motorcycles through southern California

M*A*S*H
About Field hospital based in Vietnam during the Vietnam War

Added By Webmaster for The People History
Vietnam should read Korean War as pointed out by our visitors in comments

Sanford & Son
Sitcom based around father and son junk dealers

Happy Days
Teenage life in the mid-1950s. featuring The Fonz who can forget thumbs-up gesture,"aaayyh!", and leather jacket

The Muppetts
The Waltons
The Mary Tyler Moore Show
Bob Newhart

If you look at the list not one was based on violence how times have changed

I am sure I missed some others that I can't remember right now so please leave your comments with your own favourites

An Army Career In The 70's

noreply@blogger.com (The People History) — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 14:09:00 +0000

Posted By
M. Layport, United States, Choosing a Carreer Or Did It Choose Me

I never did know what I wanted to do for a living the entire time I was going to school. I was "warned" that I needed to start thinking about it, and start planning!

I never was a great student anyway, so made it hard to plan on anything, and the “warnings” just increased my anxiety!

I had gone to Jr. College after high school primarily because that was what you were "suppose to do" ...didn't do great there either.

Took me 3 years to get a 2 year degree!

I only got a degree in mechanical drafting because it was easy for me, but never had any plans to work in the profession.

So late 1972 (just before finishing J.C.) I started thinking of what I can do next with my life.

Dad had been with the 25th Div in the 35 Infantry REGT in the Philippines during WWII, and I always loved his "war stories". So I came to the bright conclusion of enlisting in the military!

Funny I remember telling Dad of my plans and that was the first time I remember him talking about the bad points of being a grunt in the military.

But “I knew what I was doing” and helicopters had caught my eye! ...Although I've never been in a plane in my life at that point! I went into the Army recruiters and discussed the idea, I was informed that that MOS (military occupation specialty) was not in high demand at this point in time,

Viet Nam was winding down and the need for helo pilots was not as high as it once was. I was determined to be a gun ship pilot, so they sent me in for the written test.

It was pretty hard, but was happy I scored the minimum acceptable grade! ...Then I was informed there's qualified and best qualified! ...i.e. I didn't make the cut! I was heart broken!

Went home that night and thought …the Army doesn't even want you! The next day I went over to visit a buddy at his house, he had another one of his friend over, and this guy had just gotten out of the Army’s armor AIT (advanced individual training) class at Ft. Knox ...he talked about armor training and how the M60 tank was an ass kicking machine! …I was interested!

Next day the Army recruiter’s office called, wanting to see if I was interested in anything else ...I told them I'd be interested in armor!

You could almost hear them licking their chops! …"OH SURE …we could probably get you in that!" So I enlisted for armor training in the L.A. recruiting station California, and that evening I was shipped off to Ft Ord in a bus.

It was late Feb. 1973. As we pulled out of the recruiting station I looked around the bus, all kinds of people were there and I remember thinking, "Boy I hope I don't get stuck with this group!" *G* …We became 1st Platoon C-2-3 in the old WWII wooden barracks over looking the reception area. Actually “basic” was not that hard for me.

Yes I was out of shape, and was never the athletic type, but during my school years, because I wasn’t a good student, I developed the ability to disappear in the crowd! …To become so inconspicuous that the teacher didn’t noticed you!

This was probably the only time this ability ever served me, in a beneficial manor. The Drill Sgt. never was able to put my name to a face, until about the last 2 weeks of basic.

Basic in general was a positive event for me, gave me confidents in myself to a degree and got to learn about dealing with other people, both good and bad.

Eight weeks later I graduate for basic training, and the third week in May, 1973 we shipped out to Ft. Knox Kentucky for AIT armor training. Armor AIT was the icing on the cake for me! We were finally earning something we were going to work at.

The barracks were semi new and the food was real good! Each track (tank) had a crew of 4 trainees, with a T.C. (tank commander) that was assigned to the track.

Normal crew was 5 people; this allowed each trainee to rotate positions as we learned how to operate each position …except the T.C.’s spot. I was older then most in training, I was 22 at this time, I’d guess the average age of most of the recruits was 19 to 20 at this point.

Whether this was a contributing factor or not I’m not sure, but I became the leader in all training efforts. If the lesson was driving or any other skill, I was the first to try! AIT was semi easy for me. I didn’t have to “hide” in the crowd anymore; I looked forward in proving my capabilities! Actually this worked out well for me, because I was made PFC/E3 at the end of this AIT training.

I had thought I’d be able to get leave after AIT and visit home again, but the Army had other ideas. I was sent to Ft. Bliss Texas for “Redeye” training.

Redeye is a shoulder fired anti-aircraft missile …the grandfather of the modern day Stinger missile. The other guys in my AIT class went on the train on the M551 Sheridan “tank”, or were sent off to regular armor units. Redeye was a 3 week training course, there were only 12 regular Army people in this class and the other 24 people were N.G.s (national guard), who were there for their annual 2 weeks of training.

Actually this was 2 weeks of party time for most of them! They almost daily went down to Juarez, Mexico, after training too PARTY!

The next day they were a sorry looking lot! Afew had long hair …stuck under short hair wigs, and the D.I. (drill instructor) would yell at them to get their hair fixed right, or he’ll escort them to the barber to get a “proper” hair cut! The N.G.s only lasted the 2 weeks then they were gone, and it was just the 12 R.A.s (Regular Army) guys that were left.

During this training I discovered I had a knack for “aircraft recognition” I was scoring 100% on all my aircraft recognition tests and scoring high on the system test as well. I ended up number one in the class, and this allowed me to fire the one of the 2 missiles that were expended at the end of the class.

Unfortunately this was the only disappointment I came a crossed …my missile was a dud …a $3000 dud! *G* After leave at my parent’s house in California,

I flew to South Carolina and the AFB (Air Force Base) there to catch a flight to FRG (Federal Republic of Germany). We waited most the day there, meeting people and friends I knew there from training.

We finally went to board a plane, but much to my disappointment, it was not a military aircraft at all! It was an old 707 with the company name on the side “Flying Tigers Airline”. This was a very old and very used aircraft.

We were jammed into the aircraft and headed off for a very long flight. We didn’t fly straight to Europe; we stopped in New Foundland to re-fuel, and then on to Frankfurt, Germany and the Rheine Mien airport.

There we unloaded and were bused to the 503th replacement center …an old building that was a British prisoner camp during WWII! We spent the next 3 days there, before being shipping to another distribution center. This is where I learned I was to be shipped to “Alpha” troop 3rd Sqd. 12th CAV in Budingen, FRG. I remember thinking “Boy this sounds like a kick-ass unit!” …But before we got there we had to get an orientation to the Germany culture.

This was a 5 day class in Glenhausen, FRG. We got there late Sunday night and after all day coming and going to get assigned and picking up TA-50 (field gear) I fell into bed about midnight.

Next day we found out there was about 15 of us, and after we got straighten away, we headed to our first class. The class was taught by an officer’s wife who spoke very fluent Germany and spent a lot of time in country.

Over the next few days we were taught basic Germany language, currency exchange, & cultural differences. During this time afew notable things happened to me. First I was assigned to a section headed by a Sgt. that was from Louisiana, he was a Cajun and he had an accent you could cut with a knife!

He would tell me to do something, and it was like someone speaking a foreign language to you! I had to ask 2 to 3 times what he just said! …And sometimes I never did understand him! Luckily this didn’t seem to be a new problem for him, and he wasn’t too upset about my asking what he just said! The other notable event happened about day 4, I was in class and it was about 10:30am when a sergeant came into our class road and wanted to know who PFC Layport was!?? Without thinking I stood up (from basic training), he looks me over and said you are to report to major so-in-so in the Battalion S4 building!

First thing I thought was “what did I do now!??” I headed over there escorted by the sergeant, and sit down in front of this major, he was the S4 OIC (officer in charge). He was looking for a clerk, and was trying to skim some of the replacements for this position.

After I learned what he was after, I told him I wasn’t interested! He was flabbier-gassed! He went on to tell me I’d be E.D. (eliminated from duty) from guard duty, K.P. & won’t have to do field duty! I still wasn’t interested. He didn’t care!

Then when he explains my duties as a “clerk”, I told him I couldn’t type! He didn’t believe me! He had seen in my records where I had graduated from Jr. College and wanted to know how I had gotten thru without typing a paper?

I told him I had my girl friend type it …actually it was my Mom, but I didn’t want to share that info! So after a brief test in typing skills he finally relented and I was allowed to head back to class.

Two days later the class was over and a VW vans pulled up to take the 4 people to the Armstrong Kaserne in Budingen, FRG.

It was Friday evening, early Sept. I arrived in Budingen, FRG about 18:00hrs we were dropped off in from of the troop location. These were barracks were built in 1932 to house a German unit; a rectangle shaped building 5 floors tall. The C.O. and 1st Sgt had already gone, only the C.Q. (Charge of Quarters) was there.

He temporarily put us (me and one other guy – don’t remember his name) up in a room where they had empty beds, and to my surprise we were issued M16s, and were told that we’d have to go to the range the next morning to zero the weapon! I thought “MAN, this is an ass kicking unit!” …

Next day we drew the M16s (brand new! …Unlike basic which were Viet Nam bring backs). I was impressed with my weapon; I shot a group you could cover with a dime! Monday we were marched into the C.O. (commanding officer) office and one of the biggest events of my tour happened! Original I trained as “11E” (M60 armor crewmen), after AIT training, I had the “Redeye” training. After you had, and passed this additional training, an attachment was added to your MOS title. People taking the M551 Sheridan training received an R8 attachment …Redeye was an R6. …SO as I looked at my paperwork when I first got to Germany, with all the other people being assigned to units most had the 11E10R8 MOS …mine was the only 11E10R6 on the sheet. …you could almost guess what was going to happen! …

SO I was “mis-assigned” to a Sheridan tank unit…by an error reading my MOS. As I stood before the company commander he was putting me down in his roster with my MOS title and the conversation goes something like this: CPT: ”Lets see your 11E10R6!?? ..Oooh that’s a mistake …I’ll change that!” ME: “No Sir, that’s not a mistake!” CPT: “What!?? …You’re not R8? …So what’s a R6?” ME: “That’s a Redeye attachment Sir.” CPT: “REDEYE!?? …They are only in Headquarter Company (HHT). Let me put in a call to Capt. Johnson in HHT and see if he has any openings.” …He picks up the phone and leans back in his chair and the charade starts …”Hello Capt. Johnson this is Capt. Watts in Alpha troop, hey I got a trooper here that’s been mis-assigned, he’s Redeye trained!” …a bit of silence then …”Oh full up Huh!?? …

Most of Redeye is just pulling extra duties!?? …Well OK, we’ll see what he wants to do, thanks again.” CPT: “Redeye section is full up, sounds like most the people there are just doing extra duties. …

So would you like to try O.J.T. on the Sheridans and remain here?” ME: “Well Sir since Redeye is full, I’ll try the O.J.T. …I like a challenge!” How naive I was! …

This whole conversation was done for me, and I swallowed it hook, line, and sinker! …So I was assigned to “A” troop, O.J.T. (On the Job Training) on a Sheridan …not for long, as it ended up! …But for now I was put on the Platoon. Sgt. track A15. …

I had NO training on the Sheridan, and as you may or may not know ...NOBODY had a full crew during this time! Normally just the T.C, & the driver, so when I got on board the track there was nobody to help me (platoon. Sgt. seemed to be “busy” else where)!

I had trained on M60s but this M551 was no where like a 60, but after looking over this machine I did notice the air cleaner indicator signal was like the ones on a M60 and this one was in the red.

This meant that the filter was dirty so I pulled the filter, but had no idea what to do to clean it. I guess I looked pretty puzzled because the driver of the next track asked what was wrong.

I told him and he took the time to show me how to hook up an air line to the breach air system and blow the filter out.

We became fast friends, SP/4 Dave "Barney" Bartnez. He showed me alot! I spent the next 6 months learning about the Sheridan and running around with “A” troop on field training, exercises, and border duty.

About this time I was in the mess hall waiting in the chow line and talking with another California buddy, he was talking about being at Ft. Bliss with the 13th CAV. I piped up and said “I was at Ft. Bliss …for Redeye missile training”! The guy next to me in line turned around and asked “YOU… had Redeye training?” I told him “YUP, sure did!

I got number one in class and got to shoot the missile and everything!” …He didn’t say another word. Next morning at formation the Platoon Sgt. called me out and said that I was to go over to HHT (Headquarters Troop) and “temporary” help the Redeye section.

Seems they were going thru a Division Redeye test, and they were short of people! … (NOT like the “A” troop C.O. had indicated!) …So I trained with the Redeye section for about 3 weeks and on Dec. 7th, 1973 we took the Div. test, and as it ended up my team got No.1 in 3rd. Armor Division (Sgt. Robert "MO" Molin & myself), HHT troop & Redeye section never let me go back!

So I was transferred to HHT troop (with a little resistance from "A" troop.) It turned out to be one of the best times of my life! …

But it was one of the saddest too! June 74, I was going home on leave. Barney was still in "A" troop he was E.T.S.ing (End Time of Service) out of the Army and heading back home to Minnesota. I joked "I'd beat him home"! …And he'd joke "Yeah, but you got to come back"!

…A month later I was walking thru the front gate, back from leave. I knew the U.P. (Unit Police) at the gate was a guy I semi knew from A troop and he asking if I just got off leave? I don't know what gave it away? My new suit or a 3 week old beard!?? He turns serious, and asked if I knew about Barney? I said Yeah I knew he E.T.S. out.

He then says …"But Barney drown 3 weeks later"! I didn't want to believe it! Two days later my old Platoon Sgt. from "A" troop. stopped me for a donation for flowers for Barney's family!

The rest of my time in the service was a series of stories, probably only interesting to myself (or so says my wife! *G*).

But to outline them, I got to visit Berlin on an admit leave (very interesting during “cold war” period), numerous field exercises, border duty, N.C.O. academy, E5 board, teaching Aircraft Recognition classes, becoming a Sgt. two years to the day I joined the Army, and becoming the Redeye Section Sgt. for a period.

There are a number of people I had that helped me go from a kid, afraid to grow up, to a man, ready to take on the world! …

And I’d like to list them here: LTC. Michael D. Mahler Cpt. James E. Johnson 1Lt. Glenn Duffy 1Sgt. Bille Evans SSG Ottis Matthews If any of you ever run across this story, I want to offer you my sincere thanks for your help and friendship!

The other aspect I need to mention are my buddies I lived and worked with! I think if you talk to any body that’s been in any armed service we’ll hear about how great their buddies were! IF they were in a real war (Viet Nam my era) that bond is deeper yet! It’s hard to explain to someone that hasn’t experienced that in their life how important it becomes!

I think of them often to this day …thirty-plus years later. For me I couldn’t have picked a better path in life!

I went on to work in the design/drafting profession, working with process piping. I’ve worked from Alaska to California and on projects world wide, for me it was a perfect choice in a profession!

I’ve been married two times(still working on the second one), I have three kids (a son and two daughters …last one I delivered on the bathroom floor!) and, I presently live in California.

Fuel Crisis 1973

noreply@blogger.com (The People History) — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 12:48:00 +0000

Memory From:
John, UK, Fuel Crisis 1973
I was in my teens in 1973 so I don't remember all of the goings on, but I do remember my mum and dad discussing a possible world war caused by the war in the middle east, power cuts and Watergate and saying it was going to be pretty bad for the next few years, I can also remember them complaining about large increases in the cost of petrol and I now realise they were right when I read about the 3 day week and the worldwide recession that followed.

Manchester Shopping Center Fresno

noreply@blogger.com (The People History) — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 03:27:00 +0000

Posted By
Jack, United States

Manchester Shopping Center with Sears as the main store opened in 1958 in Fresno Ca being the first major shopping center and it seemed to be so far out from downtown Fresno.
I told my mother, who in thier right mind would build a shopping center so far out of town. Today 2008 the shopping Center is really considered downtown. How times have changed

Roswell 1945

noreply@blogger.com (The People History) — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 18:20:00 +0000

Posted By
l.g., United States

In 1945, I was 12 years old, we were living on a ranch 40 miles NW of Roswell,n.m. That summer a 2 engine military airplane crashed, killing all the men. about 3 miles north of our ranch house. The Army guys in a jeep came by & my dad took them over there to the wreckage. They covered most of it up with a bulldozer, & later I road my bike over there. The biggest piece I found was about the size of a bread box. Never did hear any thing in the news about it? Strange! & i have never seen a UFO............... Thanks

Golden Sixties

noreply@blogger.com (The People History) — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 21:02:00 +0000

Posted By
Kem, United States

Yes, the summers of the 60's....my pre-teen years.
Seems like I spent most of the time either swimming or playing baseball. If it was nice outside, everyone was out playing. I'd have to look back on those years as being golden because our only job was to have fun. No worries. Time was definitely on our side.

Those Were The Days

noreply@blogger.com (The People History) — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 10:52:00 +0000

Posted By
Ken Long, United States

When I was about 8 or 9, I can remember Sunday evenings. My Mom would be cooking up supper(usually pork steaks) the smell was incredible and something I will never forget.
After supper me and my older sister would argue about what to watch on t.v. , Walt Disney or The Six Million Dollar Man.
Me and my older brother would build tree forts and ride our Shwinn bikes like Evel Kienevel. We did not have A/C so when it got hot in the summer, Mom would wet our sheets down in the tub and we would sleep on them.
We had an Uncle that lived in Kansas and we would all climb into the stationwagon that felt like it was 100 feet long and was in 2 different time zones to visit him. Heaven forbid if Dad had to stop, so if me and my brother had to pee we would go in a pepsi bottle so Dad could make "Good Time"
So many things have changed since I was a kid, I wish I could let me daughter experience what it felt like to have a bottle of pop that came in a glass bottle and was only 8 oz. not a route 44 oz at sonic. Soda pop was a treat.
I can still feel the bubbles tickle my nose as I tip it up for a sip.
Those were the days......

My First Mobile Phone

noreply@blogger.com (The People History) — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 12:29:00 +0000

Posted By
Tom, UK, My First Mobile Phone

My Mobile Phone The first mobile phone I had was provided by the company I worked for in 1983 it was a Nokia Talkman 450 Mobira Senator, I say mobile phone but it was more like a modern day phone box. It was actually a car phone however one of my colleagues used to carry his around in his back pack. This was the cream of the crop back then, it did exactly what I wanted it to and worked fairly well, it was sad to get rid off it for the latest greatest phone at the time. I went on to have lots of Nokia mobile phones including my personal favourite the Nokia 3310, The technology has changed hugely since I had my first mobile phone. I remember my wife and kids being amazed by my car phone, so was the whole street!! Now though if you don't have a mobile phone your not a normal citizen, I work in London and get really fed up with the millions of different ring tones and everyone talking away watching the world go by. I found a picture of the Nokia Talkman 450 I have included it in the memory so you can see it up against a modern day phone, the phone below is my latest phone its a Nokia N80. My new phone has thousands of features more than i will probably ever need, it can also be used on VoIP to save me money on my phone calls which is quite impressive you can find out more about the phone on the site listed at the end of my memory It makes me wonder what the phones will be like in another ten years maybe it will turn into a chip that plugs into our ear? Who knows.
I now run a site dedicated to the next leap in Mobile Phone Technology you will be suprised at what is next round the corner.

This Poster runs his own blog all about the VOIP Mobile Phone Technology

The Next Generation Of Mobiles Using VOIP

Casey Kasem The Voice of My Teen Years

noreply@blogger.com (The People History) — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 00:49:00 +0000

Posted By
Casey Fan, USA, Casey Kasem The Voice of My Teen Years

Remember Casey Kasem? He’s considered all but obsolete now as Ryan Seacrest has taken his weekly radio job, but I used to be a huge fan of Casey Kasem. In the early 1990s, I was just coming of age and going through high school. Casey had a weekly show that counted down the top songs of the previous week. Every Saturday, I made it point to listen to his countdown. I especially like the “Request and Dedication” portion of his show.

I think I liked the weekly radio show because most of the songs in the countdown had special meaning to me as a growing teenager. You know how music plays such a big role in a teenager’s life, and I was no exception. Artists like MC Hammer and Vanilla Ice were redefining the Hip Hop genre while C&C Music Factory was one of the most popular dance bands of those few critical years.

The week between Christmas and New Year’s Day was the greatest week during the year for me. Casey Kasem always did a countdown of the year’s best songs during the last few days of the year. From 1990-1994, I made a big deal out of this and listened to as much as I could. Being the packrat that I am, I also taped the countdowns because I always thought I would want to listen to them later. Of course, this was before the internet made it possible to get any song that you want within a matter of minutes. But I still have those tapes packed away somewhere. They’re a little piece of my history. The songs helped to make me who I was and indirectly who I am today. I wonder how many other people have had their lives affected by Casey Kasem in such a big way.

Label Memories From The 1990's

Beatles performance in City Park Stadium

noreply@blogger.com (The People History) — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 23:58:00 +0000

Posted By
Vince Caronna, USA, Beatles Concert in the 60's

I was there the night of the Beatles performance in City Park Stadium. I was 13 years old and it was my first concert. My father was a pretty well known promoter and manager of such stars as Frankie Ford and Roland Stone. He had an in with the local radio stations and got our tickets for free. The thing I remember most was that some of the people rushed the stage and the local police on horseback, most of them, cracked some heads with billie clubs, men or women, boys or girls, it did't matter. There was blood everywhere, on the young people, the police got away with cruelty, that would not be allowed today. The Beatles themselves, were hard to hear above all the girls screaming. They did have some other acts before the Beatles, but I can't remember which ones played. I will always remember the experience though, It was unreal. Thanks, Vince Caronna

Label Memories From The Sixties

Changes in Society

noreply@blogger.com (The People History) — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 23:54:00 +0000

Over the last 70 years many things have changed in our society including computers, electronics, shopping experinces and how much everything now costs, this section is to tell peoples memories of times gone by

Memory From:
USA, World War II Memories
World War II Memories

Memory From:
Name Withheld , USA, The Depression Years
Memories From The Depression Years

Memory From:
Frank , United States, Baby Boomer Memories From the 50's
Baby Boomer memories

Memory From:
Remember Growing up in the 60's
60's generation Growing Up

Memory From:
Remember the Recession years From The 70's
Remember the 70's

Memory From:
Popular Culture and Music From The 80's
Eighties Popular Culture

Memory From:
Music Concerts from the 90's including Woodstock
Woodstock 94

Memory From:
Laura, United States of America, Buying a Calculator in 1973
Buying a Calculator in 1973

Memory From:
Jim , United States of America, Price of Gas in 1968
Price of Gas in 1968

Memory From:
The Yuppie Era
The Yuppie Nineties

DO YOU HAVE MEMORIES FROM THE CHANGES IN SOCIETY AND EARLIER GENTLER TIMES YOU WANT TO SHARE
PLEASE USE THE COMMENTS FORM TO SHARE YOUR MEMORIES
If You Have Photographs to include with your memories please use the Add Memory Form where it will tell you how to Add Photos

Summing Up Archived 30s Memories

noreply@blogger.com (The People History) — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 15:32:00 +0000

Posted By
Webmaster The People History

Small Exerts From Our Archived Memories From The Thirties

1 Brooklyn , New York in the 30s
There were gas lights in the hallways, but converted to electric. The heat was from a old iron stove that burned wood or coal. To take a bath there was a 5 gallon tank of water that was lighted with a match and was heated by gas

2 Supporting Yourself During The Depression Years
They made wedding trouseaus and dresses etc., for those who were still wealthy, knitted everything from lace to wool, kept a large garden, and raised geese and ducks for eggs and down which they would stuff into pillows for sale.

3. Dust Bowl Farming
We had a farm of 320 acres, no irrigation. In the spring ,after the the crops were in and before harvest of our crops my father worked on the railroad, Union Pacific, to supplemment our income.

4. Living In Chicago In the 30s
We moved to a house on St. Louis Avenue. Dillinger was a criminal and he was about three or four blocks from where we lived.

These are just small snippits of some of the memories from our 30's archived memories page , click the link to read the full memories

You should also take the time to watch the Video Memory Of ED who provides a graphic account of childhood in the 30's

Growing up in New York in The 30s

noreply@blogger.com (The People History) — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 14:30:00 +0000

Memory From:
B , Sudan, Growing up in New York in The 30s
I remember when i was a young girl growing up in new york, my father worked as a doctor. We would always have people in our apartment, getting fixed up.Around depression time, my dad, Joshuah Grant was shot and killed when he was on a train to caliofornia. My mother and my 5 sisters and 6 borther were left with out a father, and she was left wth out a job. Our family struggled. My eldest sister Herminie got the plauge and die, giveing the deisie to my 2 younger brothers grants and emil,they also died. The thing that i rememberwas on christmas,i woke up,and there was a toy pony. Mygrandma had sent it from England. We were immigrant from there. The toy ended up being stolen,along with my sister shyanne ellen louis.Life was very tough.

Label Memories From The 1930's

Ed Video memory

noreply@blogger.com (The People History) — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 13:58:00 +0000

This is truly a fantastic memory from a Man who helps us to understand what is was like in the depression years of the 30's and needs to shared

I had Very vivid memories of my childhood some good some bad, when I was little a circus came to town and I wanted to see it , I had no money so I snuck in under the canvas the circus and I got caught. So as a result they made me part of their act and they put me on this horse and I didn't know it put they put pants on me that were big and lifted me up and the pants fell off. I can always remember my mother used to make zachinky and that's a poor food, and I hated it , she didn't have any money to make it was just boiled dough as thick as your finger and that's what we ate and that was horrible stuff. We lived in a poor section of Amsterdam New York and for Christmas my mother gave me a little red wagon, I knew that we were poor so I just made it a point to go into the city and to go into the back yards of furniture stores and so forth to pick up these boxes for heating and I remember one day I was near a police station and the policeman took my hand and I thought he was going to arrest me for taking these boxes and instead he put a bushel of food into my wagon and I thought that was pretty good so we had some food.

I spoke to Edd for a while after this video was made and he truly is a wonderful man who should be an example to us all and help us realise how lucky and privileged we are today. We take for granted so many things like education which he did not have the opportunity of until a few years later

I would like to thank him so so much for sharing his memories for this and future generations.

Label Memories From The 1930's

30s dust bowl

noreply@blogger.com (The People History) — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 12:12:00 +0000

Memory From:

Debbie , USA The Dust Bowl Years

I didn't live during the 30s, but my Mother did and she experienced the dust bowl.
It may have only impacted Oklahoma, Texas, Colorado and Kansas directly, but it was a major event which isn't mentioned on the this sites list of events.
Many farmers lost their farms and they and their families were made homeless and the migration to California began. Dust storms so severe that the sun was blocked out were daily occurences.
It was a big deal, partly caused by irresponsible land developers and farming techniques that weren't appropriate for the time.
Any dust bowl survivors out there? I'd like to see your memories here

Growing up as a kid in the Bronx

noreply@blogger.com (The People History) — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 11:57:00 +0000

Posted By
Mike T , United States

I would not trade growing up as a kid in the Bronx in the 50's and 60's for anything. I have lived in Texas for the last 40 years, which I truly love also.

But I remember Loew's Paradise, Scottie's Poolroom, Steeles bowling alley, PS 46 schoolyard sports, stickball, shooting craps in the corner, De Witt Clinton H.S., Roosevelt HS summer school, St. Helenas Sunday night dances in Parkchester, Bickfords on Fordham & Webster Ave., Carvels on Webster below Fordham Rd., Orchard Beach, City Island, pizza by the slice, and other memories too numerous to mention.

We grew up fast and worked hard. We were on the streets all day and night without a lot of todays worries. I think we are a lot better off now for having had that Bronx experience.

Richard The Snake

noreply@blogger.com (The People History) — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 11:13:00 +0000

Posted By
Johnnie J, United States

I read above where a man shot a coffee cup that was sitting in front of a Jap soldier while he was taking a morning dump. I have a story just about the same.

When I was in Nam in May of 1967 my Sergent and I were alone about 3 miles behind our lines. We were looking for a place to advance the next day with the rest of the company to dig out Charly. As we crossed a log my Sergent put his foot right down on a snake that had to be 7 foot long. He shot his m16 about 25 times and never hit the snake!
But when we walked about 15 feet into the thick jungle we found two Viet Cong lieing there dead. I started looking very hard to see if there were any more around.

In another 10 feet there was one more sitting there with his hands up and had been shot in his butt. I speak good Vietnamese and all he said was give up! give up! After a moment I ask him where was their company? He said they all ran when we started shooting.

To make the story short. My Sergent never hit the snake but he killed two men and had shot the other one right in the butt. We just figured if it hadn't been for that dang snake we would have been walking into a death trap within another 15 feet! Everyone called him snake from then on until he was killed. And I would have never been able to tell all of you this story.

My Sergent didn't get to see the U.S.A. again, he was killed fourteen days later about a mile from where he shot at the snake.

Always remember Richard the snake!

Back In The 80s

noreply@blogger.com (The People History) — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 11:43:00 +0000

Posted By
anon, United States

I Was born In Jan of 1984, I know a baby in the mid 80's but I was very much aware of what was on TV and things as far as toys where concerned that is and hot cars on television shows such as Knightrider And Miami Vice.
I remember my 1st Hot wheels Car collection as well as a huge G1 Transformers collection.
I was little like i said but i can never forget the cool music and great cartoons and shows on TV.
Nowadays they don't have the good stuff on or any type of show with a story line too it like knightrider and Miami Vice did.
My Lil brother was the best we use to hang around and play with our tonka cars and trucks... those where the carefree days.
Now I'm grown and independent and away from the NEW YORK area. Brooklyn and New york back then was fun I feel sad for the next upcoming kids.. this era was totally the best ever.

Lucky To Grow Up In The 70s

noreply@blogger.com (The People History) — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 16:50:00 +0000

Posted By
Tomboy, United States
I was born in 65' so the late 60's are really just faint memories.
I remember watching the men land on the moon, but it's like a dream now.

The 70's are a different matter, I have wonderful memories of going to the beach in sunny California. My mom driving us there in her blue VW bug, the radio playing, the wind blowing in from the sunroof. Spending the entire day swimming, collecting shells, building sand castles. It was so cool. Life was free and groovy.

There was darker times too, the unrest of the day was on the news every night, and I remember watching the SLA stand off in Los Angeles on our big console tv. The terrorists shooting at the cops. The fire breaking out, and my family saying things like "What is the world coming too? How can they do this?!" My Mom being scared for the people inside. It was a time of change for bad and good.

The War was always in the background. Looming over everything. The good stuff was so good in the late 60's and the 70's. We had great bands and music, funky clothes, and even funkier hair. Cool TV, like Archie Bunker, MASH, Mary Tyler Moore, Bob Newhart, Sonny and Cher, Laugh In, Carol Burnett. Sunday night meant Mutual of Omahas Wild Kingdom, followed by The Wonderful World of Disney. The acid trip of HR Puffinstuff.....Weird toys like the Creature Maker, Spirograph, Incredible Edibles.

I also enjoyed freedom kids today can't have. We walked to school, played outside, and didn't have the clingy/ paranoid parents kids today seem to have. Getting dirty was normal, and we didn't have all the pressures to be perfect either. Sure we had problems like every generation does, but we also had some great times as well, and I feel lucky to have been born when I was.

Sharing Memories From Growing Up In The 70s

noreply@blogger.com (The People History) — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 10:16:00 +0000

Posted By
Lil immigrant girl, United States

I was born in 1965 so i don't remember the '60s, only thru my father's music. But i came to United States from Guatemala in 1975, that's when my life began for me. My favorite memories are from '75 to '79. The 1st song i remember liking that was popular in '75 was BRICK HOUSE by the Commodores. I look back on those days now and love them & love and appreciate my dad and his efforts to bring us to this great country. During that time I had my 1st bike, I learned to ride a bike, I learned how to ride a skate board, I learned to how speak English, I learned to play kick ball at school, I learned how to dance the HUSTLE during p.e. I am grateful that i got the chance to live the 'American dream' at least for a little while. In the early '80s several kidnappings took place, we couldn't walk to & from school anymore...everything changed. That's why the late '70s is what i remember fondly. Watching the Carol Burnett show, Donny & Marie, Little house, Laverne & Shirley, and so on and so on. I could write a book, but i won't bore you, i just wanted to share a little...

I Hate Green Beans

noreply@blogger.com (The People History) — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 11:19:00 +0000

Posted By
Greybeard, USA, I Hate Green Beans
I remember a frozen food product marketed to help Parents of picky eaters eat vegetables...They were called I Hate Green Beans, Corn, Beets and Peas. They were french fry type food I think made from those vegetables.

Does anyone else remember these or am I the only one

Dreams Do Come True

noreply@blogger.com (The People History) — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 09:37:00 +0000

Posted By
Abraham, United States

Dreams do really do come true.
My Name is Abraham, the car behind us is a 1940 Dodge Sedan with suicide doors, and this is a one owner car bought brand new by Bill G. in photo.
As a young boy 8yr Old I dreamed of owning this car and I have been trying to buy this car from him,
I moved from there and before I knew it another 15 years had passed, and I came back home and I bumped into Bill in a local Wal-Mart and we began to do some reminiscing about the good OL days, and he asked me to stop by his house the following morning at 10:00.Am,
So as I pulled up in the yard I saw the car that I only dreamed of for so many years, it was sitting there, and it was in the same place that I had last seen it as a young boy, and as Bill walked me around the car telling me she had an extra ding or two and she would need some paint and a lot of TLC.
Bill then told me there were 5 different people trying to buy the car, and he told me that he told them he would have to check with Abraham as he has asked for this car first; luckily I was able get the car as it is a dream come true.
Bill is now 95 years old, and I am 38 years old and I am hoping this summer to take him for a ride in it as that is the only request from him.
Thank you Have a great day.

The First Times

noreply@blogger.com (The People History) — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 09:31:00 +0000

Posted By
Gawngal, United States

I was born in September 1961..I don't remember much about the 60's all but going to school..Yet now the 70's was me becoming a Ten...And oh the times I had
Went to Carowinds for the first time.
Drove a car for first time
Stayed up late for the first time
Went to Clemson college to view the planets and see the history of it
Went to historical Charleston
Went to kings mountain battle ground won in story contest about the trip
Smoked a cig for the first time
Had a boyfriend for the first time
Got married for the first time
Those were the days
As the captain of my life its been ..slow and easy....Sailing

How lucky we are today

noreply@blogger.com (The People History) — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 10:36:00 +0000

Posted By
Monroe, United States

I can remember my father who was born in the depression talking about his father would leave home before daylight and arrive back home after dark walking 10 miles each way to use a hand plow and if he got lucky a horse and plow, working in the fields all day long for only one dollar.

Hearing the family stories of my grandfather/mother raising 8 children in those times was really a sad part of our history, not only in America but the entire world.

Hearing my mother talk about picking strawberries for 3 cents a quart, She says when they finally did make it to the times where they got 5 cent a quart and a dime if they capped them, they were (quote)stepping in high cotten.
You know hearing all the stories or my parents and grandparents picking cotton by hands in the hot fields until their fingers would bleed and crack open, the heat from the hot soil since they didn't have money to buy shoes in the summer time and pulling those cotton sacks down the cotton rolls all day.

It really makes you stop and think just how lucky we are today. Signing off now from the plains of Tennessee.