On this day in 1965 the Gateway Arch is completed in St. Louis, Missouri. One of the most recognizable landmarks of Americana, this arch was built as the "Gateway to the West", signifying the American spirit of expansion. The romantic image of manifest destiny died with this giant arch. Instead of taking over the North American continent, the US was looking to the skies. The conquered Indian tribes were on the verge of their revenge with the increasing popularity of their casinos. Most significant was Americans now went camping for recreation, and not for survival. I don't understand the logistics of getting to the top of this thing. I'll have to see it to believe it I guess.
On this day in 1886 the Statue of Liberty was officially dedicated by President Grover Cleveland. The bronze statue was a gift from the French and represented the friendship of the two nations. I swear this thing has been closed to the public more than its been open, the least they could have done is not make it out of Bronze, but a metal that doesn't rust. Anyway, millions of immigrants knew they had reached the promise land when they first sighted Lady Liberty, so it is really the first lady of the United States of America. I used to call this thing the Liberty of Statue when I was a kid, hence the title of today's blog.
On this day in 1919 Congress enacts the 18th amendment, making the manufacturing, sale, or consumption of alcoholic beverages illegal. Morality won a great victory over the evils of the naughty water, but all this did was increase the thirst of the nation and create a racket run by gangsters. Oh yeah, and the Kennedy dynasty got a big boost from bootlegging. Before this the idea of a Catholic in the White House was laughable!
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