AMERICAN PATRIOT
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JULY 7, 2010
NEW YORK’S
NIAGARA FALLS POSTAL SERVICE PAST AND PRESENT
HAMMERIN’ HANK CHASES THE BABE
AMERICAN PATRIOT POSTAL SERVICE PAST AND FUTURE
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6 NEW YORK’S
NIAGARA FALLS
8 HAMMERIN’ HANK CATCHES THE BABE
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HURRAY FOR
HOLLYWOOD (SIGN) EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNT REMINDER
CHRYSLER’S QUEST
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14 QUOTE OF THE WEEK
15 THIS WEEK IN AMERICAN HISTORY
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POSTAL SERVICE 4 AMERICAN PATRIOT
PAST AND FUTURE
From the very beginning, starting with the Continental Congress, it was clear that an effective postal system would be imperative for the functioning of the United States. Having designed a postal system for the colonies as early as 1775, Benjamin Franklin was appointed the first United States Postmaster General. And when the Constitution was drafted in 1788, the Post Office was incorporated directly into Article I in recognition of its importance to growth and stability. Almost immediately, the Post Office began to expand, accelerated by the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. Increasing from the original 75 post offices, by 1823 there were 84,860 post offices across 22 states. Postal employees accounted for 76% of the civilian federal workforce. Postal routes became quicker and more roads were built in order to deliver mail to rural areas more easily. Steamboats became incorporated into the mail routes. When mail was not getting to the Pacific Coast fast enough, the Pony Express was introduced, and then soon eclipsed by train delivery. By the early twentieth century, the Post Office added airmail delivery and had secured state-of-the-art transportation to deliver mail further and faster. A few facts you may not know. The first postage stamp was sold on July 1, 1847 in New York. It had a picture of Benjamin Franklin with some adhesive tape on the back. The stamp cost 5 cents and clerks cut it out by hand. Until 1856, only George Washington and Benjamin Franklin were featured on the stamp. Two presidents have served as Postmasters Generals: Abraham Lincoln and Harry Truman. Lincoln made $55.70 annually for his job, but his small salary was supplement by free mail service and a free
daily newspapers. The mail only arrived once a week, and if the addressee did not collect it, Lincoln would hand deliver it. Other famous postal workers have included William Faulkner, Walt Disney, Bing Crosby, and Charles Lindbergh. The late twentieth century has been less glorious. The U.S. Postal Service has morphed into a quasi-public organization, privately operated though still backed by the government. It is under increasing pressure to consolidate offices and shrink from its current 650,000-plus workers, as the internet and successful private competitors like UPS and FedEx eat away at volume and profit. In response, the service has produced Vision 2013, an internal plan for the future: a commitment to strengthen core operations and services, and to balance an urgent need to reduce costs with continued investment in new technology and strategies. States the Postal Service: “We will be guided by one principle: we exist to serve our customers. This vision is our commitment to ensuring a vital Postal Service for future generations.� LEARN MORE AT THE NATIONAL POSTAL MUSEUM DOWNLOAD VISION 2013
AMERICAN PATRIOT 5
NEW YORK’S
NIAGARA FALLS
6 AMERICAN PATRIOT
Niagara Falls is often associated with Canada and it is common to forget that it also falls onto the U.S. side of the border. In fact, New York State houses the beautiful Niagara Falls State Park and many other attractions where you can be awed by the waterfall and join in the fun. From whatever vantage point you look, Niagara Falls is majestic. Water from Niagara Falls drops 176 feet into Lake Ontario. Between April and October, 100,000 cu ft/ sec of water flow over the falls, and during the other half of the year, 50,000 cu ft/sec of water flow. Some of this raw power is now diverted to hydroelectric power generating stations for sustainable energy; not to worry, this does not detract from the view! Due to the massive amounts of water, the Falls does not freeze during the winter; however the flow did once stop in 1848 when an ice jam completely blocked the Niagara River. Canada has done a wonderful job of making its side of the Falls appealing. But don’t forget the New York side where Niagara Falls State Park was established in 1885. The state park was designed by Fredrick Law Olmstead, who also designed New York City’s Central Park. There you can see how the Falls were formed and explore natural features such as ecology, geology, and wildlife. A Discovery Center features fossils and minerals, a multi-screen theatre recre-
ates the history of the Falls, and there is a breaktaking observation tower. Other attractions accessible from the New York side: Rainbow Bridge, Cave of the Winds, Goat Island and Prospect Point. Visitors also learn of Niagara Falls’ magnetic attraction to the most daring of daredevils. There is a long tradition of thrill-seekers attempting to conquer the Falls. In 1826, Sam Patch was the first to jump from a high tower into the gorge and survive. Following Sam, Annie Taylor began the tradition of attempting the Falls in a barrel. She survived. As recently as October 2003, Kirk Jones jumped just wearing just the clothes on his back and survived. For visitors who are not interested in plunging into the water, the Maid of the Mist, which visits the New York side, is a popular boat tour that gives adventurers an intimate but dry look at the Falls. CLICK HERE TO EXPLORE THE NIAGRA FALLS VISITORS CENTER CLICK HERE TO VIEW A VIDEO ABOUT THE U.S. SIDE OF NIAGARA FALLS
AMERICAN PATRIOT 7
The most dangerous animals in the forest don’t live there.
ONLY YOU CAN PR E VE N T W I L D FIRE S. w w w. s m o k e y b e a r. c o m
8 AMERICAN PATRIOT
HAMMERIN’ HANK CATCHES THE BABE In 1974, Hank Aaron broke Babe Ruth’s legendary lifetime homerun record. Aaron hit his 715th homerun in the fourth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Al Downing was the pitcher and Aaron’s ball flew into the Braves’ bullpen where relief pitcher Tom House caught it. A record attendance of 53,775 Braves fans cheered and, as Aaron ran around the bases, his mother dashed onto the field to join in the victory lap. Born February 5, 1934 in Mobile AL, “Hammerin’
Racial tensions ran high as Aaron approached
Hank” always believed he was destined to sports
Ruth’s record; some people where threatened
greatness. Aaron played baseball and football in
by a black man challenging the legend of the
high school; his excellence in football earned him
Babe and the most sacred record in the books.
several athletic scholarships, but he chose to
A modest player, Aaron downplayed his impend-
focus on baseball. At age 15, Aaron had a tryout
ing approach to his record breaking homerun;
with the Brooklyn Dodgers, an impressive feat for
nonetheless he received an estimate of 3,000 let-
such a young player; although he did not make
ters a day filled with racist comments. He deter-
the team, he impressed as a powerful hitter.
minedly pursued the record and began to speak out against the racism in the national pastime.
After high school, Aaron spent a few years in the minor leagues. In March 1954, he got his big
Aaron retired in 1976. He finished off his career
break. The Milwaukee Braves’ left fielder frac-
with a remarkable 3,771 career hits, 755 home-
tured an ankle, and the next day Aaron became
runs and a record 24 All Star Game appearances.
left fielder forthe club. He was a decent player
His homerun record was not broken until 2007
in his first year, but his career took off the next
when the controversial Barry Bonds surpassed it.
year when he made the All-Star team. In 1957,
Aaron was elected into the Hall of Fame in 1982.
his hitting average was .393, and he helped the
His talent and grace under pressure won him
Braves win the World Series. He got better and
nationwide respect. He has served as an execu-
better with time, and in 1970 Aaron got his
tive of Major League Baseball, and as a spokesper-
3,000th career hit against the Cincinnati Reds.
son for the game and positive social causes.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH AARON HIT HOMERUN NUMBER 715
AMERICAN PATRIOT 9
HURRAY FOR HOLLYWOOD (SIGN)
Like the Statue of Liberty or the Golden Gate Bridge, the Hollywood Sign has become a representation of the United States around the world. Movies, music videos, and TV shows often feature it as an inspirational symbol for the American dream, but what is the actual history behind the sign? Harvey Wilcox, founder of the California town,
By 1915, Hollywood had become the epi-
often took advice from his wife, but her most
center for the movie industry. Film was be-
lasting suggestion was the name “Hollywood.”
coming an integral part of American culture;
Mrs. Wilcox had heard a woman on the train
almost 40 million Americans were going to
calling her summer house, “Hollywood,” and
the movies each week. Hopeful actors and
was intrigued by the sound. In 1907, the first
directors flocked to Hollywood creating a suave
film crew moved out to the town in search of
and glamorous atmosphere with nightclubs,
good weather. Hearing that California was the
restaurants, and bars. Hollywood represented a
place to film, companies began relocating
glamorous lifestyle and the image never died.
from the East Coast to the sunny beaches. 10 AMERICAN PATRIOT
In 1923, Harry Chandler commissioned the
Beyond Chandler’s imagination, the sign be-
“Hollywoodland Sign.” It was intended to ad-
came one of the best known in the world and
vertise his upscale real estate development
an integral part of the popular culture. In
and was just meant to be left up for a year.
1949, the “land” was removed so that the
The sign cost a then-unprecedented $21,000
sign just read “Hollywood” and stood for the
to build. Each of the 13 letters was 30 feet
entire region. Then in 1978, after years of
wide and 50 feet tall. Construction workers
decay, the sign had a rebirth. With help from
had to drag metal squares that make up the
famous donors like Gene Autry, Alice Cooper,
sign up Mt. Lee along dirt paths. When con-
and Andy Williams, the old sign was taken down
structed, the sign featured 4,000 twenty watt
and replaced. The new sign was created using
bulbs; the sign would blink “Holly” then
194 tons of concrete, enamel, and steel.
“wood” into the night sky.
Today, it remains a global pop culture icon.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW A WEBCAM LOOK AT THE SIGN FROM TWO PERSPECTIVES
AMERICAN PATRIOT 11
CHRYSLER’S QUEST
12 AMERICAN PATRIOT
The Chrysler Building towers over midtown Manhattan. Commissioned by William P. Chrysler and designed by William Van Alen between 1928 and 1930, the building is the ultimate Art Deco skyscraper. Using a steel frame and cladding the outside with metal, Van Alen created an architectural beauty. The intricate design on top was inspired by automobile patterns used on Chrysler cars. On the corners of the sixty-first floor stand eagles that are replicas of the 1929 Chrysler hood ornaments while on the thirty-first floor are representations of the Chrysler automobile radiator caps. Chrysler was a competitive man and his building was being constructed at the height of the race to build the world’s tallest skyscraper. Van Alen hid the spire, 185 feet tall and specifically requested by Chrysler, inside the building until the very end of the project. On October 23, 1929, the lower part of the spire was hoisted to the top of the building. After the bottom section was secured, the rest of the spire was hoisted up and erected in just ninety minutes. Standing at 1,046 feet tall, the Chrysler Building was the world’s tallest building — for seven months — beating out the Eiffel Tower. It reigned until the Empire State Building was completed. Currently, the Chrysler Building is still in the top ten in the U.S. Despite Van Alen’s success, he was never paid for his work on the building. Chrysler refused to pay the architect because he believed the man was involved in shifty financial dealings with the building’s contractors. In his autobiography,
building. The architect was largely dismissed from the public eye until after Chrysler’s death when The New York Times reintroduced him to posterity. The building has grown to be a favorite in New York City. The Art Deco design appeals to each new generation of New Yorker. CLICK HERE TO VIEW AERIAL SHOTS OF THE CHRYSLER BUILDING AT SUNSET
Chrysler left out Van Alen’s involvement in the AMERICAN PATRIOT 13
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“Other lands have their vitality in a few, a class,
but we have it in the bulk of our people.” —WALT WHITMAN POET, ESSAYIST, JOURNALIST, AND HUMANIST
14 AMERICAN PATRIOT
THIS WEEK IN
AMERICAN HISTORY
1930. Construction of the Hoover Dam began. It took five years and 21,000 men to build the largest dam of its time. Erected in Boulder Canyon, Colorado, the dam provided flood control and spread water from the Colorado River to the Southwest for irrigation and to Southern California for water to drink. AMERICAN PATRIOT 15
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