The Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan (part of metropolitan Detroit) probably ranks among the best history museums in the United States. I have not been there since 2006, so it may have changed a bit since then. Born in 1863, Henry Ford became famous for pioneering the concept of an assembly line. Using this…
Author: Bet Arkeh
Oak Woods Cemetery in Chicago
One of the oldest cemeteries in Chicago is Oak Woods Cemetery, which was founded in 1854, but started burying people in 1860. Located in the South Side of Chicago, it used to be outside of Chicago’s boundaries, but that changed as the city grew. What I enjoyed most about my visit there was discovering the…
Arlington National Cemetery
In the United States, the last Monday of the month of May is Memorial Day, in which everyone takes off from work to remember those who died in various U.S. wars. Originally called Decoration Day, this national holiday began in 1868 to commemorate those who died in the American Civil War (1861-1865). However, eventually, the…
Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum
The state of Indiana annually hosts one of the most prestigious automobile races in the world: the Indianapolis 500 (more commonly known as the Indy 500). The race’s name derives from the fact that it is held in Indiana’s state capital of Indianapolis, and that the racers drive around the racetrack 200 times, equaling a…
Terrence J. O’Brien Water Reclamation Plant
Did you ever wonder where sewage water goes, or what happens to water that has been flushed down the toilet? I had the privilege of visiting the Terrence J. O’Brien Water Reclamation Plant to learn more about this. This facility serves approximately 1.3 million residents living in both the northern part of Chicago and in…
Stratford-upon-Avon and The Globe Theatre
Every April 23rd is Shakespeare Day, which is a day to commemorate the famous British playwright. William Shakespeare’s fans chose that day because he died on April 23, 1616, and may have also been born on that day in 1564 (his baptism was April 26, so it is possible). Although the English used in his…
Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day
Since April is Genocide Awareness month, and since today is Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day, I thought that I would discuss it. Although you cannot currently visit a museum about the Armenian Genocide, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, perhaps there is a monument commemorating the Genocide near you. April 24 is Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day, because…
Yad Vashem and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
April 21, 2020 is this year’s date for Yom HaShoah, or Israel’s Holocaust Remembrance Day. Israel commemorates the day by sounding a siren for 2 minutes throughout the country. During that time, the entire nation is required to stop what they are doing (including driving), until the siren stops. “Yom” means “day” in Hebrew, and…
Church of the Holy Sepulchre
One of the most popular tourist destinations in Jerusalem is the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, located where many Christians believe Jesus was crucified, buried, and resurrected. It was built during the reign of Constantine the Great in the 4th century A.D., destroyed several times, and rebuilt or enlarged several times. Currently, the Church is…
Egyptian Museum in Cairo
Founded in 1902, the Egyptian Museum, or Museum of Egyptian Antiquities, is Egypt’s largest museum that houses ancient Egyptian antiquities. It also currently houses Egypt’s most famous archaeological objects. Located in Tahrir Square, a central square in downtown Cairo, it experienced some looting and damage during Egypt’s 2011 revolution. I had the opportunity to visit…
Bet Arkeh 