The Edmund Pettus Bridge - which in 2013 was declared a National Historic Landmark - isn't symbolic of the Civil War in a meaningful way. It is, however, the modern-day battlefield where the voting rights movement was born. Douglas Brinkley battlefieldbearbridge share on social
One thing 'not right' on the 50th anniversary of the Selma marches is the sad fact that the Edmund Pettus Bridge hasn't been renamed the John Lewis Bridge. Douglas Brinkley 50thanniversarybridge Change image and share on social
There were three Selma-to-Montgomery marches in March 1965, and Rosa Parks had missed the first one. Parks, whose act of civil disobedience sparked the Montgomery bus boycott in 1955, moved to Detroit two years later for safety reasons. Douglas Brinkley actboycottbus share on social
What makes 'American Pie' so unusual is that it isn't a relic from the counterculture but a talisman, which, like a sacred river, keeps bringing joy to listeners everywhere. When 'American Pie' suddenly is played on a jukebox or radio, it's almost impossible not to sing along. Douglas Brinkley americanbringcounterculture share on social
Broadcast radio was entering its own golden age during the Depression, with live programming on stations all through the day. Local stations needed singers, musicians, announcers, and whipcord personalities, along with Christian clergy to give prayers and pundits to speak on world affairs. Douglas Brinkley affairageannouncer share on social
Walter Cronkite had a golden rule for all wartime reporters: never self-aggrandize. Douglas Brinkley aggrandizecronkitegolden Change image and share on social
Everybody trusted Cronkite because he reminded them of their favorite uncle or trusted family physician. Being square in the age of the Beatles made Cronkite retro cool. Douglas Brinkley agebeatlescool Change image and share on social
The answer to New Orleans's levee woes is painfully obvious: money and willpower. Douglas Brinkley answerleveemoney Change image and share on social
As a composer, Dylan now fits comfortably alongside George Gershwin or Irving Berlin, though he grumpily refuses to wear any man's collar. Douglas Brinkley alongsideberlincollar Change image and share on social
The superhighway of celebrity and showmanship is filled with debris. Douglas Brinkley celebritydebrisfill Change image and share on social