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Coming to America: Who Was First?

Eric Weiner

Columbus gets the credit for being the first to land on these shores. Does he deserve it? Bettmann/Corbis hide caption

Columbus gets the credit for being the first to land on these shores. Does he deserve it?

Columbus Competitors: The Theories

Was Christopher Columbus first? A host of competing theories say no. Here are a few of the more prominent ones: Sixth Century — Irish Monks: This "theory" is actually more of a legend. A sixth-century Irish monk named Saint Brendan supposedly sailed to North America on a currach — a wood-framed boat covered with animal skin. His alleged journey is detailed in the ancient annals of Ireland. Brendan was a real historical figure who traveled extensively in Europe. But there is no evidence that he ever made landfall in North America. In 1976, writer Tim Severin set out to prove that such a journey was possible. Severin built the Brendan , an exact replica of a sixth-century currach , and sailed along a route described by the traveling monks. He eventually landed in Canada. 10th Century — The Vikings: The Vikings' early expeditions to North America are well documented and accepted as historical fact by most scholars. Around the year 1000 A.D., the Viking explorer Leif Erikson, son of Erik the Red, sailed to a place he called "Vinland," in what is now the Canadian province of Newfoundland. Erikson and his crew didn't stay long — only a few years — before returning to Greenland. Relations with native North Americans were described as hostile. This much had long been known from the Icelandic sagas. But until 1960, there was no proof of Erikson's American sojourns. That year, Norwegian explorer Helge Ingstad and his wife, archaeologist Anne Stine Ingstad, unearthed an ancient Norse settlement. During the next seven years, the Ingstads and an international team of archaeologists exposed the foundations of eight separate buildings. In 1969, Congress designated Oct. 9 as "Leif Erikson Day." 15th Century — The Chinese: This theory is espoused by a small group of scholars and amateur historians led by Gavin Menzies, a retired British Naval officer. It asserts that a Muslim-Chinese eunuch-mariner from the Ming Dynasty discovered America — 71 years before Columbus. Zheng He was a real historical figure, who commanded a huge armada of wooden sailing vessels in the early 15th century. He explored Southeast Asia, India and the east coast of Africa using navigational techniques that were, at the time, cutting edge. But Menzies, in his best-selling 2003 book, 1421: The Year China Discovered America , asserts that Zheng He sailed to the east coast of the United States, and may have established settlements in South America. Menzies based his theory on evidence from old shipwrecks, Chinese and European maps, and accounts written by navigators of the time. Menzies' scholarship, though, has been called into question. Many of his claims are presented "without a shred of proof," says historian Robert Finlay, writing in the Journal of World History . Indeed, most historians say the "China first" theory is full of holes. -- Eric Weiner

Want to know more? Read an excerpt from 'Who Was First?'

Who discovered America?

For most of us, the answer to that question is straightforward: Christopher Columbus. That's what we were taught in school and that is why we celebrate Columbus Day. Yet it is far from clear-cut.

There are alternative theories about who got here first — some well-documented, others much more flimsy in their scholarship. Author Russell Freedom explores the various contenders for the title of "first" in his new book, Who Was First? Discovering the Americas . He shares his insights with NPR.

When you started this project, were you like the rest of us? Did you believe that Christopher Columbus discovered America and that was it, end of story?

I was vaguely aware of the Vikings. But really, what incited my interest was a book called 1421: The Year China Discovered America . That book has been largely debunked, but what is clear is that there have been successive waves of immigration to the Western Hemisphere from outside. Where they came from and when they arrived and how they got here — that's all still speculative.

Tell me about the Irish Monks who supposedly predated even the Vikings.

That falls into the realm of legend. But it's possible that they came across the North Sea, to what is now Newfoundland, before the Vikings. No one knows for sure.

And the Vikings?

That is well established. I visited the archeological site at the northern tip of Newfoundland. There is no question about it. It has been definitely determined that the Vikings were there for about 10 years — specifically, Leif Erikson and his extended family.

Is there any physical evidence that remains today?

Yes, the remains of their houses, of their settlement. There was an archeological dig that lasted six or seven years, and then they reconstructed the settlement about 100 yards away.

What did Leif Erikson make of this New World?

It was full of wonderful resources: timber and grapes. Coming from Greenland, as he did, which had no timber or grapes to make wine, these were two priceless discoveries. That's why the Vikings called it "Vinland" or Wine Land.

So if it was so wonderful, why didn't the Vikings stay longer?

The Indians didn't want them to stay. The first encounter was when the Vikings came across 10 Indians taking naps under their overturned canoes — and the Vikings killed them. That did not set up a very good mutual relationship. There were some attempts at trading, but the Vikings felt quite menaced and outnumbered, and the Indians did not appreciate their presence. The Vikings did return to North America, but only for trading. They never settled again.

What about the "China first" theory? Is there any evidence to support the notion that Chinese mariners set foot in America before Columbus?

There is credible evidence that a Chinese fleet went as far as the coast of Africa, in present-day Kenya. It was the largest maritime fleet in the world, under the command of Zheng He, a favorite of the emperor. Whether the fleet went around the horn of Africa and then across the Atlantic is speculative. The theory has been widely shot down by experts in the field. There is no real evidence. The author uses a grab bag of evidence, some of it is suggestive and some of it is ridiculous.

So if Columbus wasn't first, why does he get all of the credit?

He opened up America to Europe, which was the expansionist power at the time. He was the one who made it possible for them to conquer the Western Hemisphere — and to bring with them the diseases that apparently wiped out 90 percent of the population. He wasn't the first (and neither were the Vikings) — that is a very Euro-centric view. There were millions of people here already, and so their ancestors must have been the first.

What did you find most surprising in researching this book?

For one thing, the longevity of settlement of the Western Hemisphere — 20,000 years, at least. I don't think it's silly, this quest for answers of who got here first. You always want to know what happened before you. It' a human instinct to know where you came from and what proceeded you. How did they get here? Who were they? The fact that we don't know for sure makes it quite fascinating.

Who Was First?

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Excerpt: 'Who Was First?'

Dos And Don’ts When Visiting The U.S. For The First Time

Visiting the U.S. is an exciting and often life-changing experience for those who have never been, so here are some helpful dos and don'ts.

The United States attracts visitors worldwide to witness its bucket list destinations, the most spectacular scenery in the world, and the most recognizable icons on the planet. Incredible sights are sprinkled around the country, and people with unlimited time and resources will enjoy the most of their trip to the greatest country in the world. Visitors to the US will want to hit the iconic Grand Canyon , marvelous Niagara Falls, historic Statue of Liberty, the White House, Walt Disney World Resort, the magnificent island of Waikiki, the fantastic Las Vegas Strip, Yosemite National Park, Golden Gate Bridge, Times Square, and the list goes on.

However, despite the US being the country of freedom, there are many things to avoid when spending a vacation there. Here's a guide to the do's and dont's when visiting the US.

Related:  The Cheapest Cities To Visit In The United States (& What You Can Do In Them)

Here Are The Things To Do When Visiting The US For The First Time

When eating out at a restaurant in the United States, people must leave tips since service workers rely on them, and tips make up a large percentage of their salaries. One is recommended to leave a tip anywhere between 10% and 20%. Some restaurants in the US will automatically include a tipping fee of around 18% in the bill once they know the client is coming from another country. In other places, the customer can put as many tips as they want. However, it isn't polite to walk out of a restaurant without putting tips at all.

• Recommended: People are advised to read their restaurant bill in detail and refer to the management if they find suspicious tip charges inside.

Americans are very time-sensitive, and they take punctuality very seriously. Thus, a meeting at 7:00 pm means 7:00 pm sharp. Moreover, it is better to reach the place a couple of minutes ahead of the meeting. According to Americans, being late is rude. People who don't know the area where they're heading must give themselves more time than they think they need to go somewhere. This is to avoid heavy traffic and other unexpected delays that might occur.

In many parts of the world, people think that No Parking signs and stop lights are just suggestions for drivers. However, this case does not apply to the US. In most jurisdictions inside the country, parking and traffic laws are seriously enforced. This is why people visiting the United States must respect traffic laws and abide by the regulations. Moreover, it is worthy to note that Americans drive on the right-hand side of the road, opposite Australia, the UK, and other countries.

When visiting the United States, it is a must to see the fantastic national parks in the country, and not only hit fan-favorite places, such as San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York City, and Washington DC. At the unique national parks of the US , people will have the chance to witness mammals only found in North America, such as grizzly bears.

Kindness Is Key

In the United States, it is essential to be kind to people. When asking questions, one is expected to say "please" and "thank you." Moreover, people visiting the US must be patient. Locals will reward kind people, and they will be guided to the best in their cities and towns.

Related:  Las Vegas Boasts The Largest Ferris Wheel In The United States

Here's What Not To Do When Visiting The United States For The First Time

The United States is larger than Europe. This is why people must not expect to see and do too much during their first short trip to the country. Many travelers to the states think they can see Miami, Los Angeles, New York, and Washington DC in a single trip. However, such a tour will leave one extremely tired and exhausted. A better way to experience America is to focus on one region and travel deeper. So, they must either focus on East Coast or West Coast destinations during a single trip. Areas of the East Coast include Washington DC and New York City, while West Coast destinations include San Francisco, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles. Some people like to visit other areas, such as the Northwest, Midwest, and Southwest.

Some smokers may not like the situation in some states in America because they have implemented some of the harshest anti-smoking policies in the world. For instance, Chicago, San Francisco, New York City, Seattle, Washington DC, and others ban smoking in clubs, restaurants, bars, malls, and other places. Furthermore, California has expanded its smoking ban to private residences, healthcare facilities, beaches, and parks. Thus, when visiting the US for the first time, people must not assume that they can smoke anywhere they want.

American slang must be avoided at all costs. This is because American people will feel offended and take very seriously any demeaning or degrading comments associated with specific ethnic groups or races. It would also be better to adopt daily-life vocabulary, such as "How are you doing" instead of "How are you."

Next:  These Are The Foods That The United States Is Most Known For

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This Day In History : February 7

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The Beatles arrive in New York

On February 7, 1964, Pan Am Yankee Clipper flight 101 from London Heathrow lands at New York’s Kennedy Airport—and “Beatlemania” arrives.

It was the first visit to the United States by the Beatles, a British rock-and-roll quartet that had just scored its first No. 1 U.S. hit six days before with “I Want to Hold Your Hand.” At Kennedy, the “Fab Four”—dressed in mod suits and sporting their trademark pudding bowl haircuts—were greeted by 3,000 screaming fans who caused a near riot when the boys stepped off their plane and onto American soil.

Two days later, Paul McCartney , age 21, Ringo Starr , 23, John Lennon , 23, and George Harrison , 20, made their first appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show, a popular television variety show. Although it was difficult to hear the performance over the screams of teenage girls in the studio audience, an estimated 73 million U.S. television viewers, or about 40 percent of the U.S. population, tuned in to watch. Sullivan immediately booked the Beatles for two more appearances that month. The group made their first public concert appearance in the United States on February 11 at the Coliseum in Washington, D.C., and 20,000 fans attended. The next day, they gave two back-to-back performances at New York’s Carnegie Hall, and police were forced to close off the streets around the venerable music hall because of fan hysteria. On February 22, the Beatles returned to England.

The Beatles’ first American tour left a major imprint in the nation’s cultural memory. With American youth poised to break away from the culturally rigid landscape of the 1950s, the Beatles, with their exuberant music and good-natured rebellion, were the perfect catalyst for the shift. Their singles and albums sold millions of records, and at one point in April 1964 all five best-selling U.S. singles were Beatles songs. By the time the Beatles first feature-film, A Hard Day’s Night, was released in August, Beatlemania was epidemic the world over. Later that month, the four boys from Liverpool returned to the United States for their second tour and played to sold-out arenas across the country.

Later, the Beatles gave up touring to concentrate on their innovative studio recordings, such as 1967’s Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Heart’s Club Band, a psychedelic concept album that is regarded as a masterpiece of popular music. The Beatles’ music remained relevant to youth throughout the great cultural shifts of the 1960s, and critics of all ages acknowledged the songwriting genius of the Lennon-McCartney team. In 1970, the Beatles disbanded , leaving a legacy of 18 albums and 30 Top 10 U.S. singles.

During the next decade, all four Beatles pursued solo careers, with varying success. Lennon, the most outspoken and controversial Beatle, was shot to death by a deranged fan outside his New York apartment building in 1980. McCartney was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1997 for his contribution to British culture. In November 2001, George Harrison succumbed to cancer . Ringo Starr was knighted himself for "services to music" in 2018.

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Earthquake causes fluvial tsunami in the mississippi river, criminal case ends in plea bargain—one of the first, mysterious murder, later solved by forensic evidence, benjamin franklin publishes “an imaginary speech”, josef mengele, known as the “angel of death,” dies, german sub sinks scottish passenger ship ss california.

Visiting America for the first time – 27 valuable things to know

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For anyone visiting America for the first time, these travel tips & valuable things to know will help you plan a better trip.

Whether hitting those bucket list locations such as New York City , or taking on the great outdoors on an epic USA road trip, it’s well worth being prepared with some handy knowledge.

Visiting America for the first time

1. Don’t try to see all of it in one trip

The USA is a mighty big place so it’s impossible to see it all in one trip. I’ve been 15 times and still haven’t begun to scratch the surface.

For this reason. when planning a overseas trip , choosing just a few of your bucket list places is a much better idea. Also be sure to consider the distances and whether you would be better to fly or drive to each.

2. You’ll need an ESTA or visa to enter

Most nationals will only need an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) to enter the USA.

• ESTA processing fee $14
• Nationals who DO NOT require a visa must apply for the ESTA (excludes Canada and some other countries)
• ESTA is valid for 2 years and covers multiple trips into the United States (unless your passport expires)
• single entries are valid for 90 days maximum
• Applications are typically processed within 24 hours
• to see your entry requirements got to esta.cbp.dhs.gov

3. Try not to get sick during your travels

The health care system in the United States is pretty dismal so getting sick is something I always try to avoid.

When visiting the USA for the first time my travel companion got sick and needed some heavy duty pain medication. Before we could even see the doctor they wanted us to fork out nearly $200, plus even more for the consultation. It would end us costing us around $500.

It’s a hard pill to swallow (no pun intended) when where we live it would only cost around $30. So stock up on your vitamins and try not to get sick.

4. Get travel insurance

So the good part of our doctors visit story is that we were able to claim most of the medical expenses back due to having travel insurance.

It may be a cost you hate to pay but the expenses you might incur are a much bigger headache. So one of the most important things to do before travelling to the USA is to get travel insurance.

5. Most domestic airlines will charge baggage fees

For those planning on traveling across country, baggage fees can certainly add up.

The big airline carriers in America include American Airlines, United, Delta and South West Airlines. There are also many smaller commercial airlines operating throughout the country. Many will charge baggage fees for domestic travel.

General luggage allowance is 50 pounds / 23 kg.

• American Airlines $30
• United Airlines $35
• South West – first 2 checked bags FREE

6. Tipping is inevitable

If tipping is not a requirement or customary in your place of residence then getting your head around tipping is not easy. But in the USA it is part of life and tipping is politely expected for most services. Think restaurants, taxi fares, tour guides, hotels and bars.

With the minimum wage being so low, tipping your waiter is a gesture of good service. As a rough guide aim to tip 15 to 20%.

To give you an idea of how much you might spend on tips, during my first trip to the USA I spent nearly $400 in tips over a 1 month period.

Related article: A cheats guide to saving money while traveling.

7. The USA is king of food chains

It’s no surprise that the United States comes in first as having the most food chain restaurants in the world. And while you might think this all means lots of fast food, there are actually some really great chain restaurants that are perfect for travellers.

Chain restaurants usually means cheaper food expenses so if you are travelling the USA on a budget, they may just be your best friend. Some of these include P.F Changs, Red Lobster, Outback Steakhouse, Texas Roadhouse, The Cheesecake Factory and Olive Garden.

8. Food portions are huge

While we’re still on the subject of food, you certainly won’t go hungry during your stay. The food portions are absolutely huge so don’t be shy to ask for the rest to go.

9. Don’t forget your power converter

Power plugs are sockets for the USA are type A and B. Standard voltage is 120 V.

I recommend an international power adapter so you can use it for all your future travels. This handy converter with 4 USB ports is all about traveling lightly.

10. There are 9 climate zones in the USA

Weather in the United States can change dramatically from one state to the next. When visiting America for the first time it’s a good idea to brush up on where you are going in regards to expected weather and temperatures.

While regions such as Florida can be hot and humid all year round, head further north and you could be dodging a snow storm during the winter months.

Places such as Utah are also known to be extremely hot during the summer months yet still see snow and extreme cold during winter time.

11. Be aware of extreme weather events

Hurricanes, tornadoes, polar blizzards and firestorms can occur in America without warning. These kind of weather events are prone to certain areas and can sure ruin your vacation in an instant.

Hurricane /Cyclone Season – June 1st to November 30th, peaking between August to October. Florida, Texas, North & South Carolina and Louisiana are the highest hit states.

Tornadoes – these damaging funnels or air are generally formed when cold dry air meets moist warm air. Tornada Alley sees the highest occurrence in Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas.

Polar blizzards – these freezing snow storms can happen in many states throughout the USA but are more prone to the Northern and Eastern sides. Even southern states such as Texas and California have seen snow storms where altitude are higher.

Firestorms – these ravaging and life threatening fires occur mostly in the state of California during times of high heat, thunderstorms and prevailing winds. Texas and Colorado also have seen their fair share of firestorms.

12. You have to be 21 to drink alcohol

You might be disappointed to know that the drinking age in the USA is 21. So if you are planning on celebrating your birthday in America, best you be over this age.

13. Keep your passport with you at all times

If you look up to 30 years of age in the USA, you will most likely need to show some form of identification if purchasing alcohol. While a driver licence is usually enough, some establishments may ask to see your passport as proof of age.

There are also other times when your passport might just save your arse. This occurred to me while in San Diego when I was pulled over by police for walking in a unbeknownst dodgy part of town. After much questioning and a flash of my passport I was eventually let off, a little shaken by the experience.

14. The USA is the place to take a road trip

Road tripping is one the best experiences when visiting America for the first time.

Head out on the wide open roads in search of adventure and jaw dropping scenery. From the popular coastal route along California’s Pacific Coast Highway to Route 66 which crosses 8 states, taking a road trip is one of the best vacation ideas for your trip.

Rentalcars.com covers all the main car rental companies in order for you to find the best deal.

15. You may want to visit one of the 423 National Parks

The USA has some of the world’s most incredible and diverse National Parks in the world.

The Grand Canyon is by far the most popular for tourists and can be accessed via a range of tours. Personally, I have seen it via a road trip and also on a scenic flight.

Another super popular National Park is Yellowstone with it’s thermal and volcanic activity. It truly has to be seen to be believed. Head further south and you can do the join the Grand Circle Loop, taking in parks such as Zion, Arches, Bryce and Canyonlands.

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is situated on the eastern side of USA and borders North Carolina and Tennessee.

The top 5 visited USA National Parks by international tourists are:

• Grand Canyon NP
• Yosemite NP
• Yellowstone NP
• Bryce Canyon NP

16. A National Parks Pass can save you money

America the Beautiful Annual Parks Pass – costs $80 per vehicle.

While there is no shorter term for visitors to the USA, it still works out to be a cheap option visiting several parks.

For single entry you will pay up to $35 (eg. Yellowstone & Yosimte NP) so it makes sense to purchase one. You can either go online to purchase or grab it as you enter your first park. I recommend the latter as the park may be unattended when you arrive.

17. There’s some seriously incredible and dangerous wild life

The wildlife in the USA is a big reason many tourists are visiting USA for the first time.

Seeing a Bear, Moose or American Bison are incredible moments and worthy of multiple picture taking. But you must also remember that they are wild and a safe distance must be kept at all times. Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons are known for having the best wildlife sightings in the country.

Other wildlife to be weary of include the elusive Mountain Lion which is also known as a cougar. These creatures inhabit many states including California, Montana, Arizona and Florida to name a few.

With 30 species of venomous snakes throughout the country, it’s worth watching where you set foot when out and about in the great outdoors. With the rattle snake being king of dangerous snakes, Arizona tops the state with the most deadliest snakes.

18. Los Angeles is a traffic nightmare

One place to ditch the car is most definitely Los Angles.

Known as having the worst traffic congestion than any other city in the United States, Los Angeles is best avoided on road simply for your insanity.

As a visitor to the great city, I would opt for public transport and covering as much as possible on foot. Alternately a Hop on Hop off bus tour would be a better option than a rental car.

19. America is an incredible melting pot of cultures and ethnicities

Home to over 45 million immigrants, the USA sure is a diverse and cultural place to visit.

Mexico makes up a large portion of this number so knowing a little Spanish goes a long way, particularly in the southern states.

20. You have to try the local cuisine in each region

Back to food. It appears everywhere you go you’ll be met with local delicacies you absolutely must try.

Food trucks and street carts in particular are a cheap way to eat, and this is where you will find some amazing things to try.

Each state appears to have a local cuisine they are best known for so be sure to give them a try.

Here are a few to remember.

New York – best for street carts – includes Pizza, hot dogs and breakfast bagels

New Orleans – Cajun and creole cooking – jambalaya, gumbo and red beans and Rice. Also try the famous Po-Boy and Cafe Du Monde French Beignets.

New England – for the best Clam Chowder

San Diego – for Mexican food. Shrimp tacos are the best and can be found in many restaurants and food trucks.

Texas – juicy and delicious BBQ cook ups as well as pecan pie.

Southern States – fried green tomatoes, southern style chicken, shrimp and grits, biscuits & gravy.

21. Public transport is not so popular with tourists

Public transport in the United States is not particularly loved by many locals let alone tourists visiting. This makes it really hard to traverse the USA on a budget.

While you can certainly get away with using buses and trains, it’s not exactly up to date with the modern world, hense needing a serious upgrade.

Trains and buses can also be an intimidating prospect during night time, though many would have no issue using this means of transport.

Most tourists choose to either fly or rent a car for long distances rather than take a train or bus. For short distances and city commutes during the day you should have no issue on public transport, and I regularly used the New York subway when in town during the day and early evenings.

22. Ride Share options in the USA

Uber and Lyft are the country’s 2 largest ride share companies.

Uber: there are approximately 1 million drivers in the USA. It is available in all 50 states.

Lyft: there are approximately 700,000 + drivers in the USA. It is available in 40 states currently.

23. America is generally safe but…

Every country has crime so I’m certainly not picking on this one. In fact, of my 15 trips to the USA I never had an issue.

But is is worth noting if this is your first time in USA, crime happens and you should be aware of it. Violence and burglary is not uncommon as well as muggings. So be sure to keep your things close by and never assume every stranger means well. This would be the same advice for any country.

I like to carry a money belt to keep my passport and credit cards safe when travelling. You can also store your mobile phone and keys too. The RFID blocking component helps protect your credit cards chips being read.

You can purchase a RFID money belt via Amazon here.

24. Outlet shopping is worth saving for

Though not an avid shopper, the USA is my one exception. And for this reason heading to the many outlet shopping centers is a great place to find super bargains in all departments.

In particular, big brands such as Calvin Klein, Michael Kors, Coach and Kate Spade are high on my radar. Other great brands include Nike, Polo Ralph Lauren, Levi and Tommy Hilfiger.

So if you are also concerned about how much restraint you might or might not have, I suggest when saving for your overseas trip , you save a little more for some incredible bargains.

The top outlets in the country include:

Woodbury Common Premium Outlet – New York

Citadel Outlets – Los Angeles

North Premium Outlets – Las Vegas

Premium Outlets – Seattle

Waikeke Premium Outlets – Hawaii (Ohau)

25. States with no sales tax

Along with tipping, paying sales tax in addition to the advertised price is sometimes confusing.

Just think, you’ve come across something pretty awesome that takes your eye and the price is even sweeter. Then you get to the cashier and the price instantly goes up. That’s because sales tax is added to the price you see out on the shop floor.

Though the average tax is 2% to 7% with California having one of the highest in the country at 7.25%.

There are 5 states with NO sales tax – Alaska, Montana, Delaware, new Hampshire and Oregon. That means what you see is what you pay.

26. Try not to talk politics

Never have I seen a country so torn by the word ‘politics”.

When you hear of families been torn apart by opposite political views, you know it’s serious. So when I was in the USA during Trumps reign I made a note not to bring up the subject in fear of hearing more than I needed to.

27. Pack light for several reasons

Lugging your luggage around is no fun when moving from location to location.

After so many trips to the USA I made it a note to keep it light as possible. Of course I still take checked luggage but try to keep it under 15 kg. Using public transport and staying in cheaper hotels that have no elevator don’t make the situation any easier. Trust me, you’ll thank yourself for it.

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Tracing Queen Elizabeth’s steps through the U.S.

By Danielle Paquette | Sep 10, 2022

During her seven-decade reign, Queen Elizabeth II visited more than two dozen cities across the United States. She chatted with Girl Scouts, football players, presidents and Frank Sinatra . She cheered on race horses in Kentucky. She requested a ham sandwich with the crust removed in Texas. She sported a tweed skirt-suit in Yosemite National Park.

Wherever England’s longest-serving monarch went, photographers followed, capturing generations of Americans in the throes of Royal fever (and more than a few signature handbags ).

Oct. 17, 1957 | Washington

Queen Elizabeth II heads to the White House as crowd's line Washington streets to see the royal monarch.

Oct. 18, 1957 | Washington

Queen Elizabeth II accepts a doll for Princess Anne from 7-year-old Pamela Springmann during a visit at Children's Hospital.

Queen Elizabeth II and Vice President Richard Nixon tilt their heads for a better view of the oil paintings on the interior of the Capitol dome during a tour.

Oct. 19, 1957 | College Park, Md.

Co-captains of North Carolina and Maryland meet Queen Elizabeth II before the start of a game.

Oct. 21, 1957 | New York

Queen Elizabeth II, wearing a mink stole, and Prince Philip, standing next to a viewing telescope, view New York City from the observatory roof of the Empire State Building. The Queen said, "It's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen."

Queen Elizabeth II, in a plastic domed car, rides up lower Broadway through a shower of ticker tape and confetti during procession to City Hall.

Queen Elizabeth II addresses the United Nations General Assembly.

Her Majesty kicked off a seven-city tour of the nation’s east in 1976 with a stop in Philadelphia, where she unveiled a gift for the City of Brotherly Love: a Bicentennial Bell to celebrate 200 years of American independence from English rule. (The bell remains in storage .)

July 7, 1976 | Andrews Air Force Base, Md.

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip walk down the ramp of their aircraft near Washington.

July 7, 1976 | Philadelphia

Queen Elizabeth II is greeted by the Girl Scouts of America.

July 8, 1976 | Washington

Queen Elizabeth II arrives at the U.S. Capitol.

On her New York leg, Elizabeth was spotted squeezing through city throngs, underscoring the lighter security protocols of yesteryear.

July 10, 1976 | New York

Thousands surround Queen Elizabeth II as she walks from the Federal Building up Wall Street to Trinity Church with Mayor Abraham Beame.

J Walter Green

July 10, 1976 | Charlottesville, Va.

Queen Elizabeth II tours Thomas Jefferson's Monticello home.

July 11, 1976 | Boston

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip wave to spectators below from the balcony of the Old State House before the Queen descended to street level to address the crowd. The location is the site of the Boston massacre, an event which led to the Revolutionary War.

Elizabeth returned in 1983 for a trek through the West Coast. She visited a Southern California retirement home, led a champagne toast with then-president Ronald Reagan and absorbed the mountain views at Yosemite National Park.

Feb. 26, 1983 | San Diego

Queen Elizabeth II reviews the U.S. Marine Corps honor guard as she arrives for a State visit.

Feb. 28, 1983 | Sierra Madre

Queen Elizabeth II shares a smile with 97-year-old Sibyl Jones-Bateman after the monarch was presented with a bouquet during tour of the British Home retirement community near Los Angeles.

March 3, 1983 | San Francisco

President Ronald Reagan and Queen Elizabeth II raise their glasses in a toast during a state dinner at the M. H. de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park.

Ed Reinke/AP

March 5, 1983 | Yosemite, Calif.

Park superintendent Bob Binnewies points out highlights from Inspiration Point to Queen Elizabeth II during her visit to Yosemite National Park.

The queen, a horse racing enthusiast, landed in Kentucky five times between 1984 and 2007, according to the Courier-Journal . She was known to turn up at horse farms, admiring the mares and foals.

May 23, 1986 | Versailles, Ky.

Queen Elizabeth II puts out her hand to her filly foal by the mare Christchurch and Alydar during a visit to Lane's End Farm.

May 27, 1986 | Lexington, Ky.

Queen Elizabeth II exchanges pleasantries with a line of Fayette County (Ky.) and Kentucky State Troopers on the tarmac as prepares to depart following a five-day visit.

Amy Sancetta/Associated Press

May 26, 1989 | Lexington, Ky.

Queen Elizabeth II is welcomed by a child upon her arrival during a private visit to the U.S.

David Banks

During her 1991 visit, Elizabeth addressed Congress. Lawmakers gave the monarch a standing ovation, while opponents of British occupation in Northern Ireland protested outside the Capitol.

May 14, 1991 | Washington

Queen Elizabeth II and President George H.W. Bush review the troops after the Queen's arrival at the White House.

May 15, 1991 | Washington

Queen Elizabeth II holds flowers presented to her at Drake Place, a housing project.

May 16, 1991 | Washington

Queen Elizabeth II is applauded by Vice President Dan Quayle and House Speaker Thomas Foley before her address to the U.S. Congress.

Doug Mills/AP

Elizabeth’s last U.S. state visit came in 2007, when she arrived for the 400th anniversary of England establishing its first permanent North American settlement in Jamestown, Va.

She dined with then-president George W. Bush, watched the Kentucky Derby through bulletproof glass and checked out Washington memorials.

May 4, 2007 | Lexington, Ky.

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip look out of the window of an SUV as they leave the Bluegrass Airport after arriving.

Morry Gash/AP

May 5, 2007 | Louisville, Ky.

Queen Elizabeth II chats with Prince Philip as Susan Lucci (black hat) looks on at the 133rd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.

Rob Carr/AP

May 7, 2007, | Washington

President Bush smiles at Queen Elizabeth II before the start of a State Dinner at the White House.

Evan Vucci/AP

May 8, 2007 | Washington

Queen Elizabeth II and U.S. Park Service Director Mary Bomar walk around the National World War II Memorial during a visit by the Queen and Duke.

TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty Images

May 8, 2007 | Greenbelt, Md.

Queen Elizabeth II accepts flowers from children while walking during a visit to the Goddard Space Flight Center.

Larry Downing

Elizabeth made her final stop on American soil in 2010 to address the United Nations General Assembly. “I believe I was last here in 1957,” she deadpanned to her New York audience.

July 6, 2010 | New York

Queen Elizabeth II leaves a wreath of flowers at the site of the September 11, 2001 World Trade Center attack during her visit.

Lucas Jackson

Queen Elizabeth II speaks at the United Nations Headquarters.

Seth Wenig/AP

More from the Post

Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II, Britain’s longest-reigning monarch

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ARTICLES ABOUT

First impressions of the us: foreign visitors share their thoughts.

It’s often said that first impressions are everything. Or that they are the most lasting impressions. If that’s the case, then what do non-American visitors take away from their first trip to the United States? What are their first impressions of America? Are they left with a positive feeling about our country or a bad taste in their mouth?

We asked our international friends and colleagues, in addition to conducting some online research, to determine the answers to these questions. Their initial impressions and observations generally fell into one of the following categories: personality, size, food, lifestyle, interests and expressions.

Let’s dive right in and see what they had to say!

Personality

Perhaps the most important first impression you can make relates to how your personality comes across to visitors. If you come across as cold and unfriendly, people may generalize that everyone from your country is mean. Fortunately, Americans seemed to make a good impression in the personality department.

“Outgoing, friendly and approachable!” was how Nathan, a Brit, described his first experience with Americans (or Chicagoans, at least).

Tom, also from the United Kingdom, said Americans had “Lots of enthusiasm. I really like that, though. Even if it makes Brits look unenthusiastic by comparison…”

Akansha from India wrote this on Quora: “The people smile and wish you good morning! You thank the McDonald’s guy, and he in turn wishes you good day with a smile. You enter the bus, and the driver greets you with a smile. I honestly did not once feel like an outsider … In the U.S., you could ask a person on the road directions to the beach, [and] he/she might … accompany you in order to help (No exaggeration. Happened with me.).”

According to Sue from Australia, “Americans are generally friendly, curious and surprisingly knowledgeable about our country.”

So we made a good first impression in terms of personality, but other characteristics surprised our foreign visitors in a slightly less favorable way. In fact, many of them were downright shocked at the size of things (and people) in our country.

Yijie from China summed up her observations in this way: “Everything is HUGE! Food portions, dress sizes, supermarkets and malls. Everything is unbelievably and sometimes even unnecessarily BIG.”

Charlotte from the U.K. was only 6 years old when she first visited the States, but she also commented on the size of things. “I remember everything being so big! Roads, cars, food portions.”

“Food portions and drinks at restaurants are bigger than I was used to,” said Valeria from Colombia.

Max from the United Kingdom took it a step further, commenting on the “size of the food portions and the size of the people.” He added, “The bellies overhanging the belts are simply far more numerous than anywhere else I’ve travelled!”

Beyond the larger portion sizes, our international friends made a few other food-related observations about the United States.

Here’s what Akansha from India wrote: “People eat cheese with everything! Raw vegetables [with] cheese, fruits/berries [with] cheese! I mean why!!!!! For god’s sake.”

Phoebe from China also noticed our dairy obsession, writing on Quora: “People eat ice-creams as if there were no tomorrow.”

Valeria from Colombia says she was impressed by the number of food commercials on television, but Nathan from the U.K. said there weren’t as many fast food restaurants as he’d expected based on American stereotypes. Nathan also said he found our grocery stores to be very confusing.

As with most things, impressions of prices are relative, depending on where you come from. Ashwini from India found our prices to be very high, writing: “13 dollars for lunch (mental note to cook more).”

Lifestyle can differ greatly from place to place, and even among friends in the same locale. And it’s a pretty broad category housing a hodgepodge of impressions.

Giulia from Italy visited New York City and commented on the mindset of being always on-the-go . “You need to be always busy. I have this Italian friend living in New York for a long time, and she cannot accept anymore the fact that sometimes I just spend time doing nothing. [She’ll ask me] ‘Nothing? Not even yoga? NOTHING?’”

Ruben from Portugal said he was struck by the number of people jogging here. Akansha from India agreed: “People in the U.S. can be seen jogging round the clock … Even at 00:00 [midnight] hours (no kidding).”

Tom the Brit commented on our patriotism: There were “so many U.S. flags. Like, these guys really love their country.”

International visitors were fascinated with Americans’ passion for two things in particular: religion and sports.

Giulia from Italy had this observation: “In Florida, there were only religious radio programs. Driving to Key West, I almost gave up.”

In a Quora post, Jing from Singapore noted “the intensity and passion of fans when it comes to sports (especially in football, baseball and basketball).”

Akansha from India also commented on the American obsession with athletics: “Interschool/college sports are taken seriously … VERY SERIOUSLY.”

Expressions

Most of the previously mentioned observations have been about what Americans do and how we live, but what about the things we say? Are there certain commonly used words and phrases that foreigners have picked up on?

Lucy from China noticed a big one: “People can’t say a single sentence in a conversation without using ‘be like.’”

Two people commented on a classic American greeting. Here’s what Kate from the U.K. observed: “Everyone says ‘Hihowyadoin’ like it’s one word and seems surprised when you actually answer or ask how THEY are.”

Giulia from Italy agreed. “Random people asked me ‘How you doing?’ I started to actually tell them and it took me a while to understand it was just a polite question. They were surprised when I answered.”

And Raj from Australia noticed that Americans say the word “exactly” a lot.

To these observations, we’d be like, “exactly.”

Remembering the Dalai Lama’s First U.S. Tour

The Dalai Lama has been admitted to a hospital and has cancelled his schedule U.S. tour. We look back to 1979, the first year His Holiness came to America.

News that the Dalai Lama canceled his United States tour after being admitted to the Mayo Clinic for evaluation is stoking disappointment for those who had hoped to meet with the spiritual leader. But more so there are concerns about his long-term health. The canceled trip wouldn’t have been the Dalai Lama’s first to the United States —as James Nashold recalls, he first came to the U.S. on a seven-week tour in 1979.

At the time, writes Nashold, it was “the most successful and significant pilgrimage undertaken in the West” by a major Buddhist leader. As the Dalai Lama traveled around the country, Nashold notes, he focused on three themes: seeing the U.S. and meeting with Americans; demystifying Buddhism; and raising awareness of the political situation in Tibet.

The visit included some unprecedented components: the first-ever interfaith service featuring a Buddhist held at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the first TV appearance of a Dalai Lama, and huge public exposure for Buddhism. But Nashold also writes that it presented the Dalai Lama with a number of tough challenges: Aside from the grueling schedule, he also had to field hard questions about his exile from Tibet and the viability of the line of Dalai Lamas (he is the 14th and has held the name since 1950).

But perhaps most challenging of all was the opportunity to explain how Buddhism might fit into Christianity, writes Nashold. Unfamiliar with Buddhist traditions and still relatively new to Eastern spiritual concepts, Americans confronted the Dalai Lama with questions about things like whether he believed a single world religion could ever be achieved. Nashold writes that the Dalai Lama elided those questions by focusing on his personal experiences instead. By using his personal experience as an exile from Tibet, he “surprised many Westerners” by focusing on forgiveness, simplicity and open encounters as ways of bringing East and West together.

Since his first visit to the United States, the Dalai Lama has visited more than a dozen more times. But the first time was the most memorable, says Nashold: Paired as it was with Pope John Paul II’s first tour, it “focused attention on the bright rebirth of a deep-seated interest in religion that has always been one of the mainstays in American life.” It seems as though we’re going to have to wait a little bit longer to see His Holiness tour the U.S. again.

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Before Beatlemania set in, George Harrison visited his sister in Illinois on 16 September 1963, becoming the first Beatle on American soil.

Published on

In the summer of 1963, the Beatles had some time off, and while the other three members of the band went on holiday to Europe, George Harrison became the first Beatle to visit America, when, on September 16, 1963, along with his brother Peter, he went to Benton, Illinois – population, 7,000 – to visit their older sister, Louise.

According to George, “I went to New York and St Louis in 1963, to look around, and to the countryside in Illinois, where my sister was living at the time. I went to record stores. I bought Booker T and the MGs’ first album, Green Onions , and I bought some Bobby Bland, all kind of things.” George also bought James Ray’s single “Got My Mind Set On You” that he later covered in 1987.

How Aerosmith Reclaimed The Rock Crown With ‘Get A Grip’

When the Harrisons arrived in Benton, George and Louise hitchhiked to radio station WFRX-AM in West Frankfort, Illinois taking a copy of “She Loves You” which had been released 3 weeks earlier in Britain and on the day of George’s arrival in America. “She Loves You” got a positive review in Billboard but very little radio play, although WFRX did play it. According to DJ Marcia Raubach: “He was unusual looking, he dressed differently than the guys here. He was very soft-spoken and polite.”

It’s often claimed that in June 1963 Louise took a British copy of “From Me To You” to WFRX that she had been sent by her mother and that Raubach played it. This is probably true but the claim that this was the first time The Beatles’ music was broadcast in America is not. “From Me To You” was released in Britain in late April and then topped the British singles’ chart for seven weeks’. With the Beatles at No. 1 in Britain, Vee Jay Records released their single of ‘From Me To You’ / ‘Thank You Girl” as VJ 522 on May 27, 1963. The single was made ‘Pick Of the Week’ by Cash Box magazine, but was not a success.

With the Beatles success in Britain in early 1963, Parlophone were anxious to take advantage of their new asset and so contacted their sister label in America, Capitol Records that was owned by EMI. Capitol was underwhelmed by the Beatles records and so decided against releasing any of their records. Instead, Parlophone turned to a small US label called Vee Jay, a company started by a husband and wife in Gary, Indiana that specialized in black R & B music.

It was an irony probably not lost on the Beatles who loved and had been influenced by exactly that kind of music. In February 1963, two days after “Please Please Me” made No. 1 in Britain, Vee Jay released it as a single in the US. VJ 498 did get some airplay from the major Chicago top 40 radio station WLS and it even made their own chart for a couple of weeks, but nothing happened nationally on the Billboard charts. Not helping the band was the fact that Vee Jay managed to miss-spell the band’s name on the record as “Beattles.”

So it was that when George stayed at his sister and brother-in-law’s house in Benton he really was an unknown in America; Louise’s husband Gordon was a Scottish mining engineer who had emigrated to work in Illinois’s coal mines. George did play with a local band, The Four Vests, and members of the band later took him to a Mt. Vernon, Illinois music shop where George bought a red Rickenbacker 420 guitar. George wanted it to be re-finished in black, which the store-owner did for him. The guitar was first seen in public on October 4 on TV’s Ready Steady Go , the day after George and his brother returned to London.

Back in Britain, Beatlemania proper was about to begin. On November 1, they began their first tour as undisputed headliners. The venue was the Odeon Cinema, Cheltenham, and the sedate town in the West of England had never seen anything like it – so much so that one newspaperman coined the phrase “Beatlemania” in an attempt to describe it. Three days later, Beatlemania met royalty when the band appeared at the Royal Command Performance at a prestigious London theatre. John Lennon famously quipped that the people on the cheap seats can clap; those in the expensive ones can simply rattle their jewelry.

On February 7, 1964, The Beatles left London’s Heathrow Airport on-board a Pan Am Boeing 707 for New York’s JFK Airport where, upon arrival, they held a press conference. The American press unsure what to make of the four boys from Liverpool tried everything from sarcasm to open-mouthed incredulity. The following day, after a press-call in a cold and snowy Central Park, the band rehearsed for their appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show .

Ironically, they were without George for the press call or the rehearsal as he was feeling unwell. Fortunately, by the following day, George was better and at 8 pm the band appeared before an audience of 73 million people – exactly a year earlier they had been playing to a few thousand at a cinema in Sunderland in the north of England as a lowly support act to Helen Shapiro.

Listen to the best of George Harrison on Apple Music and Spotify .

24 Comments

sebastian Tze

September 16, 2014 at 7:18 pm

What a story, glad to know George had connection in ILL

Michael Kennedy

September 16, 2014 at 10:28 pm

Great article, but almost impossible to read due to the dark background. Can you fix this? Thanks.

September 17, 2014 at 12:23 am

That story was amazing to read. I saw the Beatles on The Ed Sullivan Show, but I knew of them before that…somehow. I was nine at the time. It’s so nice to see this type of article to get to know George better….

Frank Corso

September 17, 2014 at 12:39 am

I’ve said this before some called George Harrison the quiet BEATLE i think he was the smart one I always felt that his talent was underestimated and under appreciated but most will say that that’s just my opinion and that it doesn’t count for much but it is what it is and George Harrison was is and always will be my personal favorite there is so much more that i want to say but this isn’t about me this is about George Harrison and it’s not so much a comment as it is a tribute to a man who is loved admired and missed and not just because he was a BEATLE but because he was so much more R I P George Harrison

September 18, 2015 at 1:19 am

Run on sentence much?

September 17, 2014 at 2:26 am

quite interesting. i hope they also publish that incident when the fab 4 visited manila. i still don’t know the real story 🙁

Mike Wilhelm

September 17, 2014 at 3:19 am

Wanna see a couple of recent pics of Benton that I took and posted to my blog? http://beatlesplus50.blogspot.com/2013/09/george-and-she-sneak-into-america.html

September 17, 2014 at 6:01 am

Me encantó la historia: tenia conocimiento de algunos de estos datos en forma aislada, pero aquí se resumen todos. Gracias! I love George.

September 17, 2014 at 8:05 am

Read the writeups above about George’s 1st visit in U.S….but it happens with the most successful creative musicians over the World always..they bigin from the grassroot level n finally they are recognised as Top Class Internatiional Celebrity…I’ve no word to say abt him..incidently I knew him peersonally as both we are disciple of Same Mentor…as he learnt Sitar frm RaviShankar. So he had v strong versatility in various field of music. Extremely golden hearted humanbeing n simple minded. Pioneer of a popular style of presentation/Genre. I adore him n pray to God to rest His Soul in Peace…amen!!

September 17, 2014 at 2:29 pm

Unfortunately that is not George’s Rickenbacker in the photo, it’s the Gretsch Country Gentleman he bought used from a music store in Liverpool…

September 18, 2014 at 12:19 pm

We know that it is a Gretsch, it is just such a lovely photo of George taken on the Beatles first US tour.

September 18, 2014 at 2:53 am

when I was in school many years ago, everyone thougt I was odd for liking his music over the other beatkes, glad I stuck to my values, to me he was the most talented, I guess because \i was quiet also

September 21, 2014 at 2:55 pm

I also heard that some of George’s guitars were stolen …….from when he visited his sister in Ill. He had left them in his car…and someone broke into it and took them…..what a shame But he was a very talented dude…. keep smiln olehippy13

mulders freddy

January 14, 2015 at 6:39 pm

I have allways love them since love me do.

Abhaya Mani Dixit

January 27, 2015 at 1:54 am

Yes The Beatles, Love to listen them almost. I almost have listened all songs of George. They all together sounds much better……

Steve Renehan

March 20, 2015 at 4:04 pm

What a great article! Interestingly enough, I have the exact same Rickenbacker 420, in Fire-Go red, that George purchased while visiting his sister that year. According to the serial numbers, his came off the line in August of 1962, and mine was built in April, 1963. The guitars originally came with a single pickup, though at some later date, a second one got added to his. The story goes that he used that Rick in the recording of “I Want To Hold Your Hand” to do his little lead licks that are sprinkled throughout the song. He eventually gave the guitar to either a family member or a friend, and was dismayed years later to learn that the person had sold it. That experience soured him on ever giving away any more guitars. It was recently auctioned for over $600,000.00, in 2014, I believe.

George Marryson

George Harrisons FACEBOOK page has BLOCKED many people based on their comments, if the police were to look at George Harrison’s Facebook page they would see they block people for no reason just to be malicious or because the person they block has an ethnic name.

Elizabeth F.

September 18, 2015 at 1:28 am

The house George’s sister lived in at that time was made into a bed and breakfast. My husband and I stayed there about 8 years ago just before it changed hands. Very cool part of rock and roll history.

Jess DeCristo

September 18, 2015 at 6:24 am

I liked The Beatles, I grew up listening to their music, it pulled me through some sad and heavy times. George was always my and my mother’s favorite Beatle, ( she too was a Beatle fan ). He had so much charisma , intelligence and talent , it just naturally blended in with Lennon & McCartney’s. I’ve never believed he was a ” Quiet ” Beatles, if any, Ibelieve he was the one with the best sense of humor and the most respectfull one, compare to John. I felt George’s passing more than John’s . The main reason why he was also my mother’s favorite Beatle, is that when he grew his beard, he looked just like Jesus Christ. My mom watched his ” Concert for Bangladesh ” so many times just because he looked so Christly in there. I also believe he was the best musician of the 4, he learned to play the sitar.

HermanReinders

September 18, 2015 at 10:18 am

The Beatles is de beste band ever

September 29, 2015 at 9:56 pm

The first time I heard the Beatles in the winter of 1963 I thought it was either the Beach Boys or someone trying to be. It wasn’t until I saw them on the Ed Sullivan Show (Feb. 9th, 1964) that I was completely hooked. They came at us from a direction no one could have anticipated.

Eddie Villanuevs

September 16, 2016 at 4:55 pm

I had heard the Beatles in 64 when they first arrived in Anerica, but was still too young to truly appreciate them. They were all over the radio when I lived in NYC. It wasn’t till my family relocated to Puerto Rico that I came to truly rediscover the Beatles. The story is that while in 8th grade, a friend of mine asked me to accompany him to the local record store. He asked the owner if he had the Beatles’ latest song, “Something”. Once he put that single on, I was completely on board to become a full fledged Beatles fan. From that moment on I quickly began to buy all of their music. And I have to give that full credit to my friend and George Harrison.

September 17, 2018 at 1:29 pm

The video link for RSG is one of several appearances the Beatles made during those days, but it is NOT the one with the BLACK Rickenbacker 420 guitar….that is his Rickenbacker 360 (Red) in your link. The 1963 RSG show (singing She Loves You) shows George with the $400USD (!!) black Ricky 420. He paid extra to have it stripped and painted black to match John Lennon’s Rickenbacker 325 Capri. SADLY….the guitar was stolen from the Beatle’s van not long after he got back to the UK. The guitar was recovered and returned to Harrison, but by then he had the 360 12 string. George later modified the 420 by adding another pickup, and eventually gave the guitar away…..which profited somebody quite nicely years later.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRGBWdWT8Ok

That is link to George playing the black 420 Rickenbacker. If you want a better synopsis of the guitar’s history, check out this link.

https://uniqueguitar.blogspot.com/2013/09/george-harrisons-rickenbacker-420.html

Beatle’s Superfan James

Gerald Carter

May 4, 2022 at 2:22 pm

George Harrison organized a group of American greats in a super band – The Traveling Wilbur’s . That says it all about this amazing talented man .

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Arts & Culture | May 2020

The Charming Story of George Harrison’s Vacation in Small-Town America

The Beatles guitarist visited his sister in southern Illinois just months before he’d become world famous

Alan Pell Crawford; Photographs by Ackerman + Gruber

On a late summer afternoon more than half a century ago, Chris and Monty Field, teenage brothers, found a spot on the courthouse square in Harrisburg, Illinois, to watch a Shriners parade. By some accounts, 12,000 people had gathered for the festivities, even though the population of this farm town was only about 9,000. As 40 marching units, some in their characteristic fezzes, came down the street, Chris and Monty engaged in conversation with a striking blonde in her early 30s who spoke with an English accent. Her name, she said, was Louise. She was there with her children and two brothers. Louise did most of the talking, but the younger of the two brothers, whose name was George, made an impression all the same. “He had a funny haircut, kind of long and stringy,” Monty recalls. “Most of the boys at that time had flattops.” George was wearing jeans, he noticed, with a hole at the knee.

They had been camping the night before, Louise said, at Garden of the Gods , about 22 miles southeast of Harrisburg. The campground was part of the Shawnee National Forest in southernmost Illinois, bordered by the Ohio River to the east and the Mississippi to the west. Its vistas were unlike any George would have seen in England: sandstone bluffs rising incongruously above almost endless stretches of flat farmland.

“Chris and I figured that George ripped his jeans on that camping trip,” Monty Field says. “That was the most generous explanation we could come up with, though with that hair, you kind of wanted to give him some money to see a barber.”

“If you didn’t go the barbershop once or twice a month,” Chris adds, “you were a poor person.”

Louise said George was in a band back in England, where he lived. So, later that day, Chris and Monty went to Skaggs Electric Supply Company, which sold records alongside light bulbs and extension cords, and asked the proprietor if he had anything by a band called the Beatles. The man shook his head. “Never heard of ’em,” he said.

That’s not surprising. In September 1963, almost no one in America had heard of the Beatles, much less of George Harrison, their quiet lead guitarist. Back in England, things were different. The Beatles’ first LP, “Please Please Me,” had been released the previous March, and the single “She Loves You” had come out in August. That summer, the four of them had moved from Liverpool to a hotel in London’s upscale Bloomsbury neighborhood. Screaming girls were fainting at their performances. “I Want to Hold Your Hand” would be released in November, and by December, the Beatles would have released four singles and two albums, all while appearing regularly on the BBC and playing almost 200 concerts in 1963 alone. For the first time in their young lives, the four working-class boys who’d grown up in a bombed-out city had money, and demands on their time were piling up. Needing a break from touring and recording, in September Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr visited Greece. John Lennon and his wife went to Paris. George chose to visit his sister, in Benton, Illinois (pop. 7,000).

His two weeks there, starting on September 16, might have been the last carefree moments of an increasingly hectic, difficult and arguably tragic life. In America, no one knew who George was or cared. He was just Louise Caldwell’s skinny little brother, a 20-year-old with a weird haircut, who said he played the guitar and sang a little, and was gaga for American cars, especially ones with tail fins.

Louise had married Gordon Caldwell, a Scottish-born mining engineer who moved to Southern Illinois for its then-booming coal industry. As soon as they had settled in Benton in a brick bungalow at 113 McCann Street, just off Main Street, Louise was prevailing upon local radio stations to play the Beatles 45s her mother would send her from Liverpool. When Louise learned that George was coming to town, she ramped up her efforts. Louise was the promoter. George, soft-spoken and bashful, did what she asked. To the kind and unassuming local residents who met George, soon to be one of the most famous people in the world, their brush with him was not much more than an amusing curiosity.

George and his older brother Peter flew into Lambert Airport in St. Louis, 112 miles northwest of Benton, on September 17. Louise met them in her white Dodge Dart. There was not much to do in Benton, and when Louise introduced George to Warren Batts, a neighbor on McCann Street, he “felt like she was kind of palming [George] off on me.”

But she had her reasons. Batts, too, played the guitar. George would go over to Batts’ house, and they would practice together. “George really liked Chet Atkins and Carl Perkins , and we’d work on their licks,” Batts recalls. “He didn’t seem especially ambitious about the band he was in back home, but he was serious about being a better musician.”

George’s time in Southern Illinois was wonderfully ordinary. Louise took him to the Marion Drive-In (which no longer exists), where they saw Wonderful to Be Young . George was impressed. “You drive your car in and you see all these little things like parking meters,” he explained in an interview when he returned to England, “but they’re not parking meters; they’re speakers, and you pull them in the car and wind your window up, and it’s great.” The concept wouldn’t work in England, he went on, because “all you would see of the movie would be the windshield wipers going back and forth.”

The most popular local band was the Four Vests, fronted by bass player Gerald “Gabe” McCarty , a laid-off sheet metal worker then working as a dry cleaning delivery man. As the story goes, McCarty first heard the Beatles while making a delivery to Louise’s house and she was playing the Please Please Me album. McCarty took George to the Boneyard Bocce Ball Club in Benton (which does still exist). McCarty and Vern Mandrell, the Four Vests’ rhythm guitarist, also took George to the A&W root beer stand, where customers stayed in their car and a waitress arrived on roller skates. When a car hop asked George about his haircut, he told her he was in a band back in England and that he wished they could get a hit in the States.

At the time, that seemed like a pipe dream, says Terry O’Neill, a fellow Liverpudlian who knew the Beatles before they became famous. O’Neill was a bouncer at the Cavern Club , where the Beatles performed, and other Liverpool hot spots. “Those were rough times,” O’Neill recalls. “In our street, only two guys owned cars. Only two people in our neighborhood had TVs. We were still trying to get back on our feet after the war.” Liverpool was, next to London, the most heavily bombed British city in World War II.

No one “expected anyone from Liverpool to go anywhere,” O’Neill says over bangers and mash at Penny Lane Pub , the restaurant he opened in Richmond after moving to the Virginia capital in the late 1970s. “People from London looked down on us because of our accent, like New Yorkers here look down on Southern ‘rednecks.’ Liverpool was a working-class town, and there were only five things a young man could do. You worked in the coal mines, you worked in the shipyards, you joined the army, you became a sailor, or you went to jail.”

George, like many others in Liverpool at the time, had grown up without indoor plumbing. The only heating was in the kitchen, and when his frequently unemployed father landed a job as a bus driver, he was overjoyed. Musicians from Liverpool weren’t expected to make it big. Even after the Beatles scored hits in Britain, O’Neill adds, success in America was unimaginable: “To a kid like George, America was a swimming pool in the backyard, convertibles in the driveway, a house in the suburbs. It was Al Capone and gangsters and cowboys, maybe, but, more than that, it was Doris Day and Rock Hudson.”

One day while George Harrison was in Illinois, Mandrell , who also ran Vern’s Lock Shop, drove him to Fenton Music Store in Mount Vernon, half an hour north of Benton. There they admired a Rickenbacker 425 guitar . It was fireglow red, though, and George wanted it refinished black—like a Rickenbacker 425 Lennon owned. “George offered the owner $400 cash, and he picked up the guitar a few days later,” Mandrell says. “I asked George why he’d pay $400 for a guitar he could get for half that back in England, and he said, ‘My sister told me she’d buy it for me. I’m not stupid.’” (The guitar, which he used when the Beatles recorded “I Want to Hold Your Hand” a month later, sold at auction in 2014 for $657,000 .)

While George enjoyed his R&R, Louise was busy promoting the Beatles. Besides dropping off records at the area radio stations, she prevailed upon local influencers—well, high school girls—to interview him. Marcia Schafer, the 17-year-old daughter of one of the owners of WFRX in West Frankfort, hosted her own “Saturday Session” program for teens, and Louise took George to the studio. “There was that hair, of course, but he was also wearing jeans and brown sandals with socks,” Marcia, who still works in marketing for local radio stations, tells me over coffee at the Dixie Cream Donuts in West Frankfort.

George told Marcia that he was an apprentice electrician, but that the Beatles were really taking off back home. “He really liked my dad’s Oldsmobile Delta 88 ,” Marcia recalls. On her radio show that day she played “From Me to You” and “She Loves You,” but it’s her recollection that the songs made little impression on her listening audience. George gave her a copy of “She Loves You,” which she keeps in a safe deposit box at the bank. “I wish I’d have asked him to autograph it,” she says.

Marilyn Lewis, who also interviewed George, for the Echo , the Benton Community High School newspaper, says she did it “mainly as a favor to Louise.” “Mr. Harrison is from Liverpool, England,” Marilyn reported. "He likes smallish blondes, driving, television, sleeping, Chet Atkins, eggs and chips, Eartha Kitt and Alfred Hitchcock movies. He thinks American music is great, and the people around here are friendly. What he liked most about the U.S. was the weather.” George told her that so many fans mobbed his band at one appearance that they had to be smuggled into the venue in a garbage truck, but Marilyn wasn’t overly impressed. Was he cute? “Heavens, no,” the now-retired Ohio teacher says. “He looked kind of pitiful.”

Jeans and sandals were fine under most circumstances in Southern Illinois, but there were occasions when a man needed to up his sartorial game. On September 28, two days before George and his brother flew back to England, he dropped into Edwards’ Men’s Clothing store in Eldorado (pronounced with a long A), 30 miles southeast of Benton. The Four Vests would be playing at Eldorado’s Post 3479 VFW Hall that night, and Louise and George, who needed a necktie, were going. Lum Edwards, who owned the store, went home that night and told his wife about it. “All I remember is that Lum said it was striped,” says Patsy Edwards. “Striped ties were very popular then.”

By the time the Four Vests started playing, Louise, George and their friends made their way up the back stairs to the bar and dance floor. “It was a good crowd that night, maybe 80 to 100 people,” recalls John Mahoney, a retired glassworker who was there. George “was wearing tight-fitting jeans and boots.” Janice Cooley, who ran a day care in her home, wondered, “Is that a boy or a girl?” The Four Vests played what today we’d call rockabilly music, mostly, with some Chuck Berry and other R&B standards.

It was a genre George knew and liked, and after they asked him a couple of times to play, he went up to the bandstand, strapped on a guitar and chatted briefly with the others. Then they swung into “Your Cheatin’ Heart,” the Hank Williams classic. They also played Chuck Berry’s “Johnny B. Goode” and Carl Perkins’ “Matchbox,” which the Beatles would later cover . George would introduce a number, says Mahoney, “and with that English accent he’d catch everybody’s attention. He’d grin a little bit and everybody liked him.”

Louise would recall the night as startling, with the audience banging on tables and stomping, but others remember it differently, as a pleasant but otherwise unremarkable evening. Janice Cooley says “he did have a wonderful voice.” One man offered advice for McCarty, which might not have gone down well with the Four Vests’ regular lead guitarist, whose instrument George borrowed. “That new kid that’s trying out for your band—you’d be crazy if you didn’t take him on.”

One Sunday in early February 1964, the people of Benton turned on their television sets along with a record-breaking 73 million other viewers to watch “The Ed Sullivan Show.” George’s second trip to America was proving to be very different from his first. His band was staying at the Plaza Hotel in New York City, where they needed dozens of police officers to provide round-the-clock protection. Onstage, George, already known as “the quiet Beatle,” looked a little lost standing between charismatic Paul and John as the girls in the audience screamed deliriously.

That performance was all the kids talked about for days afterward. Louise had to hire high school girls to sort through all the fan mail pouring into the house on McCann Street. When the Beatles played at White Sox Park in Chicago in 1965, George invited McCarty. Once he fought his way into George’s hotel room, they reminisced, though things were never the same.

By many accounts, George was never at ease with fame. “I realized this is serious stuff, this is my life being affected by all these people shouting,” he told Rolling Stone in 1987. He turned to drugs and alcohol and became increasingly protective of what little was left of his privacy. In 1999, he survived a homicidal attack in Friar Park, his 120-room mansion in Henley-on-Thames. By then, George had already been diagnosed with throat cancer, and soon afterward, he developed tumors in his lung and brain. In 2001, at age 58, he died at a house Paul McCartney was leasing in Beverly Hills.

For reasons that remain a mystery, George and Louise became estranged. In the late 1990s, when the Benton-area history buff Jim Kirkpatrick began writing Before He Was Fab , a chronicle of George’s visit, Louise told him not to bother trying to contact George directly.

The siblings reconciled at the end of George’s life, but after his death, a $2,000 monthly pension he had sent her since 1980 ended. “I’m struggling for money, like everyone,” Louise told a reporter for the Daily Mail in 2013, “but I am not on the breadline. I am not ‘skint,’ as they would say in Britain.”

After managing a Beatles tribute band called the Liverpool Legends in Branson, Missouri, Louise moved out of the region. People in Benton have lost touch with her, though she helped save the McCann Street house from destruction. For a time it was a B&B called A Hard Day’s Night.

Meanwhile, the all-American town that once dazzled a young Beatle has fallen on hard times. The coal industry in the area has long since collapsed. Storefronts on the courthouse square are boarded up. At the VFW Hall in Eldorado the dance floor is being used for storage. It would be easy to drive right past the town without knowing its Beatles connection if it weren’t for a giant mural of George by a California artist, erected on the highway outside Benton in the summer of 2017.

Did Mahoney ever imagine that the English visitor would change music history? “Gosh, no,” the retired glazier says. “He was pretty good, I guess, for someone who looked kind of like a hippie, up there playing with that country band. But did I think he was going to be famous? No, can’t say I did.”

For his own part, George never said much about his visit beyond noting somewhat wistfully in a letter to Louise shortly after his return to England that he’d enjoyed her friends and neighbors: “They’re great people. They were glad to see me—not because I’m a Beatle, but because I’m me.”

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Oscar Wilde In America

The Definitive Resource Of Oscar Wilde's Visits To America

John Cooper | Author

Oscar Wilde | Walking Tour

John Cooper | Interview

Sources/Credits

Oscar's Ship: SS Arizona

New York Customs

Ten Minutes With a Poet

Photographs

Introducing the Sarony Photographs

The Sarony Photographs

Sarony 3A :: Photograph of Oscar Wilde

Sarony 18 :: Photograph of Oscar Wilde 

The Last Four

With Short Hair 1883

Portrait of Sarony

Lecture Tour

The Lectures

Lecture Subjects

The Decorative Arts

The Full List

Previous Itineraries

Impressions

Vera Biblio

Strand Letters

Morris Errata

People are sometimes surprised to learn that early in his career Oscar Wilde (1854—1900), the poet, playwright, and wit famous for his flamboyant, dramatic, and ultimately tragic life in London and Paris, made two visits to America and Canada.

Further, that each of these visits was important variously in informing his personal development, literary works, and continuing legacy.

Oscar Wilde's first visit to North America was for almost the entire year of 1882 , during which time he conducting a lecture tour across the continent, including two tours of Canada, undertaking 141 lectures. The itinerary of this formative lecture tour has never before been precisely compiled—there have been several major previously published versions but none agrees with any other, and all contain inaccuracies. It is a major focus of this web site to provide a definitive itinerary of the lecture tour utilizing modern methods of archival research.

It was also shortly after his arrival in New York that  Wilde had a series of photographs taken that have come to define the image we have of him today. This web site is the only repository in book form or online where all of those photographs are displayed in one place. Here you can learn about each of the photographs , including the famous Number 18 which was instrumental in establishing the U.S. law of copyright for photographs.

There have been countless thousands of performances of Wilde's plays worldwide in the last 130 years. But it is an under-appreciated fact that the first ever production of an Oscar Wilde play was in New York many years before his great success on the London stage. In August 1883 Wilde's early, and unsuccessful, play Vera; or, The Nihilists was staged—and Wilde made a second visit to America for a month to oversee the production. This web site examines the background to the play.

In the world of Wilde scholarship there exists much historical information relating to his time in America: works , ephemera , photographs , quotations , interviews , and more are collected on this web site.

This project is entirely informed by original research.

© John Cooper, 2023

Host of this web site John Cooper discusses Wilde in America on The Gilded Gentleman podcast. Arrow Right

Selected Content

A KINDRED SOUL

Oscar Wilde meets Walt Whitman at his home in Camden, New Jersey.

S.S. ARIZONA

The ship that Wilde sailed on to America, and much more. 

An illustrated tour of Wilde’s American tour in 32 features.

A new addition to the series of photographs of Oscar Wilde rarely seen.

ST. PATRICK’S DAY, 1882

Oscar Wilde makes a speech to the Irish diaspora in St. Paul, MN.

Visit the blog for a more discursive look at all things Oscar. 

THE CATSKILLS

Follow Wilde’s Summer tour  through the Catskill Mountains.

Scroll through various Wilde ephemera from 1882.

Who Is Behind This Website?

This web site was created by John Cooper based on over 30 years of private study and countless hours in libraries and online since 2002. He is solely responsible for all original research, writing, editing, and web design. 

The site has been used by scholars, institutions, and the media around the world and is the largest online resource on the life and times of Oscar Wilde. 

The entire project was created without funding, and is freely provided, and noncommercial. 

Bio   |   Interview |   Walking Tour |   Blog

Recommended reading:

Oscar Wilde In America | © John Cooper, 2024

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Schliemann's first visit to america, 1850-1851..

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Biden and Kishida Agree to Tighten Military and Economic Ties to Counter China

President Biden is hosting Japan’s prime minister, Fumio Kishida, for a state visit as part of a broad diplomatic outreach.

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By Peter Baker and Michael D. Shear

Reporting from the White House Rose Garden

President Biden and Prime Minister Fumio Kishida of Japan announced a range of moves on Wednesday to further enhance military, economic and other cooperation between the two longtime allies as part of the president’s efforts to counter China’s aggressive actions in the Indo-Pacific region.

During a pomp-filled ceremony honoring the visiting Japanese prime minister, the president said the United States and Japan would create an expanded defense architecture with Australia, participate in three-way military exercises with Britain and explore ways for Japan to join a U.S.-led coalition with Australia and Britain.

Mr. Biden also announced that the United States would take a Japanese astronaut to the moon as part of NASA’s Artemis program, which would be the first time a non-American has set foot on the moon.

“This is the most significant upgrade of our alliance since it was first established,” Mr. Biden said at a news conference in the White House Rose Garden along with the prime minister.

Mr. Kishida made a point of reaffirming Japan’s “strong support for Ukraine” in its war against Russia, a key priority for Mr. Biden, and framed the European conflict in terms of the precedent it could set in Japan’s neighborhood. “Ukraine today may be East Asia tomorrow,” Mr. Kishida said.

Biden Hosts Japan’s Prime Minister at the White House

President biden called the united states and japan “the closest of friends” during a welcoming ceremony for prime minister fumio kishida..

Just a few generations ago, our two nations were locked in a devastating conflict. It would have been easy to say we remain adversaries. Instead, we made a far better choice: We became the closest of friends. Mr. Prime Minister, Mr. Kishida, welcome back to the White House.

Mr. Biden’s statements on Wednesday fit into a long history of American presidents declaring that the U.S.-Japan relationship was the most important bilateral alliance in the world.

In preparation for the state visit, Mr. Biden’s aides described the closer military link as one of the biggest upgrades of the U.S.-Japan Security Treaty, which dates back to early 1960, an Eisenhower-era innovation to turn a former World War II enemy into what later presidents called America’s “biggest aircraft carrier in the Pacific.”

There has always been a bit of hyperbole to the statement. But as the perceived threat from China has grown, Japan has been the linchpin of broader U.S. efforts to unify its separate allies in the region — especially South Korea and the Philippines — into a coordinated force.

The prime minister’s visit comes at the same time Mr. Biden is strengthening the American partnership with the Philippines, which also finds itself the target of a mounting Chinese military presence in the South China Sea. On Thursday, Mr. Biden and Mr. Kishida will meet with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of the Philippines to demonstrate their joint commitment.

The day began with a welcoming ceremony on the South Lawn, where Mr. Biden hailed the relationship between the United States and Japan as a “cornerstone of peace, security, prosperity” and said that President Eisenhower’s promise of an “indestructible partnership” had been achieved.

“Just a few generations ago, our two nations were locked in a devastating conflict,” Mr. Biden said after he and Mr. Kishida watched a procession of U.S. military honor guards upon the prime minister’s arrival at the White House. “It would have been easy to say we remain adversaries. Instead, we made a far better choice: We became the closest of friends.”

The Biden administration signaled the importance of its relationship with Tokyo by holding an official state dinner on Wednesday evening in honor of Mr. Kishida, something reserved for America’s closest allies.

The visit comes amid hand-wringing in Washington and Tokyo over the possibility of a return to power by former President Donald J. Trump, whose unpredictable foreign policy kept many world leaders on edge. One goal for Mr. Biden, officials said, is to create as much permanence in the Japanese relationship as possible before the election in November.

One administration official, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss the upcoming meeting, said there was “anxiety in capitals” around the world, including in Tokyo, about whether Mr. Trump would continue the international engagement that Mr. Biden and prior presidents have embraced. Another official said there was a real risk that Mr. Trump, if re-elected, could move to undo what the leaders of the two countries announced on Wednesday.

Mr. Biden and Mr. Kishida outlined greater coordination and integration between the military forces of both countries, including the formation of a joint defense council that could support more defense-related exports of equipment produced in Japan. And officials agreed on new cooperation on ventures in space and collaboration between research institutions working on artificial intelligence, semiconductors and clean energy.

“The American alliance system has helped bring peace and stability to the Indo-Pacific for decades, and now we need to update and upgrade that alliance network for the modern age,” said Jake Sullivan, the White House national security adviser. “It goes way beyond security. It’s economics. It’s technology. It’s infrastructure development. And it’s diplomacy. And that’s all going to be on display in the meeting with the prime minister.”

Rahm Emanuel, the United States ambassador to Japan, called the meeting a chance for the two nations to go beyond America’s work to protect Japan and to “write the first chapter of the next era” of cooperation as they work together to project power throughout the region.

That would be a more far-reaching relationship than the United States has historically had with Japan, which for decades after World War II restricted its spending on defense and its engagement around the world.

That began to change during the past several years, under Mr. Kishida, who pushed to expand defense spending and participate in global efforts like the sanctions on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine. Administration officials said Japan’s new willingness to become a full partner with the United States on the global stage has taken the alliance between the two countries to a new level.

But there are still some tensions. The two leaders had to dance carefully around Mr. Biden’s reluctance to let a Japanese firm buy a storied U.S. steel maker. That struck national security experts as strange, since such deals are usually blocked only when they give critical technology to adversaries, not allies.

“The idea that you block the acquisition of a company by one of your closest allies makes no sense in alliance-building terms,” said Joseph S. Nye Jr., an emeritus professor at Harvard who designed many of the defense cooperation strategies with Japan in the Clinton administration.

The meeting on Thursday between Mr. Biden, Mr. Kishida and Mr. Marcos represents a more aggressive effort by the United States and its allies to isolate China — rather than allowing the Chinese leadership to intimidate and isolate its neighbors in the South China Sea and elsewhere.

The Thursday meeting will be the first time that the leaders of the three nations have met together, officials said.

“We’re continuing to deepen our cooperation with our closest partners to ensure what we’ve talked about many times from this podium and elsewhere: a free, open and prosperous Indo Pacific,” Mr. Sullivan told reporters during a briefing at the White House on Tuesday.

Mr. Sullivan declined to say whether Mr. Biden would raise with Mr. Kishida the issue of plans by Nippon Steel, a Japanese corporation, to acquire U.S. Steel , the struggling manufacturer based in Pittsburgh. Mr. Biden has publicly said that he will have “the backs” of union steel workers, indicating his opposition to the deal.

“You guys all know Joe Biden,” he said. “You’ve seen Joe Biden. He’s been very clear that he’s going to stand up for American workers. He’s going to defend your interests. He’s also been very clear that he is going to make sure that the U.S.-Japan alliance is the strongest it’s ever been.”

But administration officials said later on Tuesday that they did not think the subject would come up between the two leaders on Wednesday because both men already know the position of the other.

Mr. Biden greeted Mr. Kishida on Tuesday evening for a brief arrival at the White House. Later, the two leaders and their wives went to BlackSalt, an upscale seafood restaurant in Washington, for a more casual dinner ahead of the formal events on Wednesday.

White House officials said the couples had exchanged a series of gifts on Tuesday evening, a diplomatic tradition for such events. The official gift from Mr. Biden and Jill Biden, the first lady, was a three-legged table that was handmade by a Japanese American-owned company in Pennsylvania.

Other gifts included a lithograph and a two-volume LP set autographed by Billy Joel and a vintage vinyl record collection. Dr. Biden gave Ms. Kishida a framed painting of the Yoshino cherry tree that the two had planted on the South Lawn last spring, and a soccer ball signed by the U.S. women’s national soccer team and the Japanese women’s team.

At the state dinner, the White House was scheduled to serve a meal that would include house-cured salmon and dry-aged rib-eye steak with blistered shishito pepper butter.

David E. Sanger contributed reporting.

An earlier version of this article misstated which countries belong to a security pact that Japan may join. Its members are the United States, Australia and Britain, not the United States, Australia and New Zealand.

Because of an editing error, an earlier version of a home page headline with this article misstated the surname of Japan’s prime minister. He is Fumio Kishida, not Fushida.

How we handle corrections

Peter Baker is the chief White House correspondent for The Times. He has covered the last five presidents and sometimes writes analytical pieces that place presidents and their administrations in a larger context and historical framework. More about Peter Baker

Michael D. Shear is a White House correspondent for The New York Times, covering President Biden and his administration. He has reported on politics for more than 30 years. More about Michael D. Shear

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Anthony Mackie enters Brave New World in first look at next Captain America

Mackie officially headlines his own Cap movie opposite Harrison Ford's Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross in EW's exclusive first look.

Anthony Mackie has a friendly bone to pick with Tom Holland . In a viral moment captured at a fan convention in 2021, the Spider-Man actor joked that his fellow MCU star doesn't have his own Falcon movie. Well, that's about to change with Captain America: Brave New World , the new Marvel film headlining Mackie's Sam Wilson as the next star-spangled hero.

Might Mackie feel the need to gloat? "No. He did that on a very public stage, so I'm going to hold that till the premiere," the actor playfully tells Entertainment Weekly in an interview at CinemaCon in Las Vegas. "I'm going to make sure that Marvel makes him come to the premiere, and then I'm going to sit him next to me, and I'm going to watch him watch the movie."

He's got some time before that happens, but until then, EW can exclusively reveal the first official photos of Captain America: Brave New World , set to hit theaters on Feb. 14, 2025.

Mackie headlined the Disney+ series The Falcon and the Winter Soldier as Sam Wilson (a.k.a. Falcon) opposite Sebastian Stan 's Bucky Barnes. The events of that series began Sam's journey towards picking up Steve Rogers' vibranium shield and assuming the mantle of the next Captain America. Now, Sam is back to lead his own movie, directed by Julius Onah ( The Cloverfield Paradox ).

Not only that, he's here to assemble a new team of Avengers.

Marvel Studios

Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige hit the stage at the Colosseum in Caesar's Palace during CinemaCon on Thursday, where he welcomed Mackie himself and screened the first footage from the movie for the room.

In it, Harrison Ford makes his Marvel debut as Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross, a role originated by the late William Hurt starting in 2008's The Incredible Hulk and continuing all the way through to 2019's Avengers: Endgame , where the character served as Secretary of State. Ross is now the newly elected President of the United States, though he's not butting heads so much with the new Cap.

Revealed in the CinemaCon sneak peek, Ross welcomes Sam to the White House, thanking him for his past heroic actions. Though he admits he isn't too fond of superheroes, he says even he can recognize Sam's goodwill and tasks the military veteran with reforming Earth's Mightiest Heroes. But, as they soon realize, there's a leak in Ross' inner circle.

A strange sound — an old timey song — interrupts Ross' presentation at a White House event, triggering sleeper super-soldiers in the room to attack the President, including Carl Lumbly 's Isaiah Bradley, returning from The Falcon and the Winter Soldier .

"It made more sense for it to be more of a grounded espionage action movie as opposed to aliens and airplanes coming through portals and s---," Mackie tells EW. "Even though I've been in so many of them and have seen it all now, the opportunity for Sam to really establish himself as a true action star and Avenger comes with this movie."

Eli Adé/Marvel Studios

Brave New World , Mackie adds, feels "10 times bigger" than The Falcon and the Winter Soldier . "One of the biggest conversations we had from the beginning was for this not to be Falcon and the Winter Soldier — Part 2 , for this to be its own movie with its own story, with its own characters," he continues. Though, Mackie admits it's still somewhat of a two-hander.

Instead of palling around with Stan's Bucky, Sam is in the thick of it with Danny Ramirez as Joaquin Torres, the character's tech-savvy "friend from work" and another iteration of Falcon from the comics. "They're evenly yoked," Mackie explains. "They're both military guys. I was his commanding officer. We have more of a friendship as opposed to the way I admired Steve or the way I didn't like Bucky."

That same background is why Ford's Ross holds Sam in higher esteem than Steve. At the same time, Mackie notes, "There is that idea of keeping your guard up and watching your back when it comes to each other."

Ross isn't the only throwback to The Incredible Hulk . Not counting Shira Haas as Ruth, a member of the U.S. Government, Liv Tyler is back playing Ross' daughter, Betty , while Tim Blake Nelson reprises Samuel Sterns, a.k.a. the Leader, who was last seen being taken into S.H.I.E.L.D. custody after Banner's blood caused him to mutate in that 2008 movie. Mackie doesn't believe Marvel fans need to rewatch The Incredible Hulk to prepare for Brave New World .

"This movie is a clear reset. It really reestablishes the idea of what this universe is and what this universe is going to be," Mackie says. "I think with these movies, you're getting a clear, new branding of what Marvel is headed towards the same way they did with Captain America: The Winter Soldier ."

The title says it all: Brave New World , a seeming reference to the classic Aldous Huxley novel. "The title implies that there's a new, bigger enemy now; there's a new frontier that we have to conquer," Mackie notes. "From Captain America: The First Avenger to Endgame , the enemy was always good versus bad. Now that we've conquered that, where do we go from here? When the bad guys reappear, in what form are they reappearing? It is a new storyline with new characters, with new beliefs, and it creates a new idea of this new world that we're going into."

And he'll be sure Holland has a front-row seat to it all.

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• Marvel's Captain America 4 and Blade delayed 9 months as actors' strike ends
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Israel ‘making decision to act’ after Iran attack, says Cameron on Jerusalem visit

UK foreign secretary is probably first non-Israeli politician to admit military reprisal is inevitable but urges Israel not to escalate

David Cameron has said it is clear Israel is “making a decision to act” in response to last weekend’s Iranian mass drone and ballistic missile attack, as Benjamin Netanyahu brushed off calls for restraint and said his country would make its own decisions about how to defend itself.

Lord Cameron, the UK foreign secretary, speaking on a visit to Jerusalem, said he hoped the Israeli response would be carried out in a way that minimised escalation.

“It’s right to have made our views clear about what should happen next, but it’s clear the Israelis are making a decision to act,” he said after meeting the Israeli president, Isaac Herzog. “We hope they do so in a way that does as little to escalate this as possible,” he added, becoming the first non-Israeli politician to openly admit that some kind of military reprisal is inevitable.

Cameron later met Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, who made it clear Israel would reach its own decisions on its security.

Speaking at the beginning of his cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Netanyahu said: “I thank our friends for their support for the defence of Israel … They also have all kinds of suggestions and advice, I appreciate it, but I want to make it clear: we will make our own decisions, and the state of Israel will do everything necessary to protect itself.”

Cameron met Netanyahu and Herzog alongside the German foreign minister, Annalena Baerbock. She was on her eighth visit to Israel since the Hamas attack on 7 October, in which 1,200 people were killed and 253 taken hostage, which prompted the Israeli offensive in Gaza that has so far killed an estimated 34,000 Palestinians.

Britain, in conjunction with the US and its European allies, has been pressing Israel not to mount a full-scale reprisal for Iran’s attack. Cameron has urged Israel to be governed by its head as well as its heart and to regard the destruction of most of the Iranian missiles and drones directed at Israel over the weekend as a win.

He argued it was more important to focus on freeing the remaining hostages from Hamas, getting aid supplies to the Gaza Strip and achieving a ceasefire in the conflict. He said he wanted to press for this in talks with the Palestinian Authority. Rishi Sunak delivered a similar message by phone to Netanyahu on Tuesday.

A No 10 spokesperson denied that Cameron’s admission that Netanyahu would take some form of action represented a snub for those lobbying the Israeli leader to show restraint – including Sunak.

Asked whether the government was disappointed that Israel seemed intent on a military response, the spokesperson said: “We’ve always said that Israel has got a right to defend itself. But clearly, we want to see all sides exercise restraint. So obviously it’s a decision for Israel but if Israel decided to act and respond, we urge them to do so in a way that avoids a significant escalation.”

In a statement issued by Herzog’s office after the meeting with the two foreign ministers, Herzog said the leadership in Tehran was endangering stability in the entire region with its actions. “The entire world must act decisively and defiantly against the threat by the Iranian regime,” the statement said.

Cameron is also due to hold talks with Mohammad Mustafa, the prime minister of the Palestinian Authority.

One of the side-effects of the Iranian assault has been to reduce some of the pressure on Israel to do more to improve humanitarian aid flows into Gaza. The UK remains deeply concerned that if the media and diplomatic pressure is eased, Israel may not fulfil the pledges it made a fortnight ago to Joe Biden to allow more aid in through more crossings.

Iran has daily threatened a severe and major escalation if Israel does launch an attack, insisting it will provide no advance warning, as it did over the weekend. But officials admit Iran’s response will be calibrated according to Israel’s own attack, with one factor being whether it is directed on Iranian soil or instead seeks to attack Iranian assets in Syria and elsewhere.

At the annual military parade in Tehran, the Iranian president, Ebrahim Raisi, told Israel that even the “smallest invasion” would lead to a “massive and harsh” reaction. Iran’s attack last weekend had only limited targets, Raisi said, adding that a larger attack could hit Israel much harder.

The latest round of tit-for-tat violence broke out on 1 April when Israel killed seven Iranian commanders, including two Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) generals, in Iran’s consulate in Damascus. Some Israeli sources have said the target was legitimate since the Iranians were using the building to mount attacks on Israel, thus losing the diplomatic immunity provided by the Vienna convention.

The US state department said on Tuesday it was still carrying out an investigation into whether the consulate was a diplomatic building or not. The US said it was relying on intelligence capabilities and allies on the ground to ascertain the true purpose of the building.

Cameron said he wanted to see coordinated sanctions against Iran, and that would be the key purpose of a G7 foreign ministers’ meeting starting formally on Thursday in Capri, Italy. He argued Iran must be “given a clear, unequivocal message” over its support for Hamas, its Lebanon-based ally Hezbollah and Yemen’s Houthi rebels. “I hope that will happen at the meeting,” he said.

Iran is already under probably the heaviest sanctions in the world. The most effective way to further punish it would be to hit the Chinese banks and energy firms involved in importing Iranian oil, the single largest revenue earner for Tehran, but the Biden administration is reluctant to become embroiled in a sanctions war with China and does not want to see petrol prices rise in the midst of a presidential election.

Britain is also pressing Israel to realise that the nascent anti-Iranian sentiment in the Gulf states provides an opportunity for Israel to forge stronger links with Arab nations, so isolating Iran.

Tensions between Jordan and Iran have emerged over Jordan’s decision to knock out Iranian drones heading for Israel. It has also been reported that Egypt was still negotiating with Iran three hours before the attack was launched, saying it was seeking understandings from Israel over a ceasefire and an Israeli commitment not to attack Rafah.

Iranian diplomats insisted they wanted a UN security council statement condemning the Israeli attack on Iran’s consulate, but Washington rejected the proposal.

It was also reported in the Iranian media that it was the IRGC, not the Iranian foreign ministry, that summoned the conduit for Iranian-US relations, the Swiss ambassador in Tehran, at 3am on Sunday to convey the message that Tehran was prepared to go further if the US intervened.

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Israel still plans to launch Rafah assault, Netanyahu tells western diplomats

Israel reportedly deploys extra weapons for assumed Rafah offensive

Middle East crisis: UN security council to vote on granting membership to Palestine – as it happened

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‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ breaks ‘Asian curse,’ crowning first Taiwanese American queen

“RuPaul’s Drag Race” crowned its first Taiwanese American drag queen Friday, breaking what the winner recently called the competition series’ “Asian curse.”

Nymphia Wind — known for her obsession with the color yellow and bananas, and for her couture-like design talent — snatched the crown from fellow finalists Plane Jane and Sapphira Cristál, becoming the winner of the Emmy-winning series’ 16th season.

Native Hawaiian Sasha Colby won last season’s competition, while “Drag Race” fan favorite Raja Gemini, who is of Indonesian and Dutch heritage, won the show’s third season in 2011.

In an interview this week on “Whatcha Packin’,” an exit-interview series of “Drag Race” contestants hosted by the show’s longtime judge and former girl group star Michelle Visage, Wind said she felt a responsibility to do well in the competition series for the Asian American community.

“All I said to myself was, I’m here to break the Asian curse,” Wind, 28, said. “I am not going to be out early on.”

Wind added, “So I just wanted to come here and show a rich, rich Asian culture in my drag.”

Born in Los Angeles, Wind, whose real name is Leo Tsao, grew up mostly between Taipei, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. She parted ways with a robust local following in Taipei in 2022, moving to Brooklyn, New York, to grow her career in drag.

Yet, her art never lost its influence from her Asian heritage.

On her first episode of season 16, which aired on MTV, Wind performed a traditional Asian sleeve dance for the episode’s talent show. Throughout the season she brought several self-made designs to the main stage, including a piece sewn with dried flowers that celebrated Butoh, a form of Japanese dance theater, and a showstopping red dress in honor of Lunar New Year.

In an episode that aired earlier this month, Wind revealed that she struggled growing up in Taiwan and being inundated with images of the West’s beauty standards, which she said were all features common among white people. She said she commonly worried that no one would ever find her attractive because of her Asian heritage, prompting her to turn to using makeup and drag.

“I always played with makeup and cross-dressing,” Wind said. “I felt like I could really change up how I look and I can escape my face in a sense.”

“I really hated to look in the mirror in general, growing up,” Wind added. “Even until now, I don’t have the habit of staring at myself in the mirror unless I have to do makeup.”

Now that an enormous, bejeweled crown has been placed upon her head, Wind may have more incentive to stare at her reflection.

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Fort Worth rodeo to draw high-profile Trump supporters with ‘America first’ vision

The america first policy institute is hosting the rodeo as part of its policy summit..

By Sarah Bahari

8:52 AM on Apr 17, 2024 CDT

A Fort Worth rodeo on Wednesday will deliver a direct message to those in attendance: “America first.”

The event, sponsored by the America First Policy Institute , will mix traditional rodeo events, such as bull riding and barrel racing, with a conservative pep rally and country music concert.

Featured speakers include a who’s who of conservative leaders, from Vivek Ramaswamy , who ran an unsuccessful bid for the GOP presidential nomination before endorsing former President Donald Trump, to Kellyanne Conway , former senior counselor to Trump.

But Brooke Rollins, founder and CEO of the policy institute, said the rodeo at Cowtown Coliseum will not promote particular candidates but rather a vision.

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“We won’t be saying ‘Vote for so and so,’” said Rollins, who served as chief strategist in the Trump administration and lives with her family in Fort Worth. “How do we open up this America First movement to everyone, whether they are CEO of a major company or an electrician who loves America?”

The organization, which is hosting its annual policy summit in Fort Worth, calls itself a nonpartisan research institute working to advance policies that put the American people first. Its members champion a secure border with wall, private school vouchers, lower taxes, deregulation, pro-life laws and traditional family values.

Throughout his presidency, Trump described his approach as “America first,” popularizing a slogan first used by those who wanted the U.S. to stay out of World War II.

“From this day forward, a new vision will govern our land,” Trump said at his 2017 inauguration. “From this day forward, it’s going to be only America first, America first.”

Wednesday’s rodeo, called “Coaching America Back to Greatness,” is a twist on Trump’s signature slogan, “Make America Great Again,” and will include appearances by two well-known coaches: Lou Holtz , a retired football coach for Notre Dame and the University of South Carolina, and Joe Kennedy , a former Seattle-area coach put on paid leave from a Seattle-area school for praying with students at football games. The Supreme Court later ruled 6-3 in Kennedy’s favor.

Roughly 2,000 people are expected to attend the rodeo, which could help energize Republicans ahead of the November election. Of the 20 most populous cities in the U.S., Fort Worth is one of only two led by Republican mayors. The other is Dallas, where Mayor Eric Johnson announced he was switching parties in 2023.

Tarrant County is also the most populous Republican-leaning county in Texas, and Republicans have vowed to keep it red. In 2016, the county voted for Trump over Hillary Clinton. Just two years later, Tarrant voters chose Democrat Beto O’Rourke, who is running for governor in 2022 , over Cruz. And in 2020, the county flipped blue and voted for President Joe Biden.

Rollins said the city could serve as a model for other large U.S. cities.

“There is no doubt you can’t make America great again until you make big urban cities great again,” she said. “Fort Worth isn’t perfect, but it is a model of good governance.”

Catharine Cypher, deputy chief of staff for the institute, said she expects the rodeo to draw attendees from both political parties.

“It’s not about left or right,” said Cypher, a former speech writer for First lady Melania Trump. “Let’s leave our politics aside and do what’s best for America.”

Related: Conservation, indigenous groups sue Texas Parks and Wildlife to block SpaceX land swap

Sarah Bahari , Staff writer . Sarah Bahari is a trending news reporter. She previously worked as a writer for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, where she covered a bit of everything.

‘No silver bullets’: After a violent weekend in southern Dallas, residents prepare to act

Report details how crash unfolded involving kansas city chiefs wideout rashee rice, arlington nuns who battled bishop over chastity vow are placed under new authority, southwest airlines, jetblue planes nearly collide at d.c.’s reagan airport, ers refused to treat pregnant women, leaving one to miscarry in a lobby restroom.