American Countryside » Washington, DC

Pioneers of Flight: Stratosphere Balloons

Tom — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 05:01:00 +0000

Before men could go into outer space, they first had to make it into the stratosphere. Many people don’t know that some of the pioneers of high altitude flying were actually pilots of balloons. We take a look at a high flying record that stood for 21 years…..

Pioneers of Flight: Cal Rodgers

Tom — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 05:01:30 +0000

Today a transcontinental flight from New York to L.A. might take about five hours. But do you know how long the first such flight took? We celebrate the 100th anniversary of flying coast-to-coast…..

Pioneers of Flight: Charles Lindbergh

Tom — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 05:01:09 +0000

You may recall that it was Charles Lindbergh who flew the Spirit of 76 on the world?s first transatlantic flight. But do you know what he flew and who his co-pilot was when he began to explore his many other transoceanic routes?

Lincoln’s Aide – William Johnson

Tom — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 06:01:51 +0000

Few people know that on Abraham Lincoln’s return to the District of Columbia from delivering the Gettysburg Address, he contracted a mild case of smallpox. The president recovered, but one man in his party did not. The story of that loyal aide is today’s edition of the American Countryside.

The Women’s Astronaut Program

Tom — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 06:01:01 +0000

In the early 1980′s, the United States put its first woman into space, a full two decades after space travel began. So why didn’t women get their chance even though they had undergone astronaut testing as early as 1961?

The Mercury Training Program for Women

Tom — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 06:01:27 +0000

The first man in space? The first man to orbit the earth? The first man to walk on the moon? You may know those pioneers and you may have never have given a second thought to the fact they are all men. This U.S. researcher thought it should perhaps be the other gender who made those missions…..

Election Day 2010

Tom — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 05:01:52 +0000

Today we may not think much about the way we vote, unless a close contest causes us to have to recount ballots and determine a winner. But the way people vote today is much different that what was experienced in the early years of this country.

The Last National Convention

Tom — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 05:01:51 +0000

“Being older than the rest of you I’m asked to advise you from time to time as the need arises…..” It’s the beginning of the advisor’s part in the FFA Opening Ceremonies. This man will recite the part for the final time as National Advisor. He says it’s about much more than words spoken to a huge audience…..

Dr. Larry Case’s Most Memorable Day

Tom — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 05:01:20 +0000

Dr. Larry Case became National FFA Advisor in 1984, but perhaps his most memorable day as an advisor at any level came n January of 1967. That day is still etched in the memories of all who were there…..

“Here By the Owl…”

Tom — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 05:01:00 +0000

The National FFA Convention is in Indianapolis this week, and this will be the last such event for Dr. Larry Case as National FFA Advisor. After reciting his advisor’s part for 27 years at the national level, he will retire at year’s end. We visit with him about his road to the position…..