Major Events and Daily Lives

The selections in Major Events and Daily Lives: Readings on United States History Since 1865 introduce students to new perspectives on history and major historical events by exploring everyday issues that have impacted the American people's daily lives. The readings address familiar and relatable topics, while shedding light on the events, culture, and consciousness of times past. Topics include the myth and the reality of the Wild West, women's roles in the 1890s, advertising in the Golden Age of radio, popular music during World War II, and the invention of mass-produced baby food. The second edition features new articles that address the rise of baseball as an American pastime, golf during the Great Depression, xenophobia in the 1920s, comic books and propaganda during World War II, and more. These windows into the lives of average Americans enhance readers' understanding of not only the effects of history, but the part each of us plays in making it. Enjoyable and informative, Major Events and Daily Lives demonstrates the power of often-overlooked details in the historical story. It is an ideal supplemental reader for courses in post-Civil War American history and society.