American Essence
Explore the essence of America with The Epoch Times | Discover insightful articles and stories that capture the spirit of American culture, history, and values.
American Essence | LATEST STORIES
Ned LeDoux Lends Vocals to Dan Seals’s ‘God Must Be a Cowboy’
The latest rendition of the classic country song debuted March 13, 2026.
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George Eastman: The Man Who Put Photography in the Hands of the World
He didn’t invent photography—he democratized it. George Eastman’s innovations transformed a complex craft into an everyday habit.
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James West and Gerhard Sessler: The Two Scientists Who Pioneered the Design of Modern-Day Microphones
How two physicists transformed bulky studio equipment into the small, low-cost microphones that power modern communication.
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Rock Solid Patriotism: This Artist Doesn’t Take America for Granite
In this installment of ‘History Off the Beaten Path,’ we take a look at one man’s American spirit expressed artistically in towns all over the United States.
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First Lady Taft and the Near-Disastrous Arrival of the Cherry Tree
In ‘This Week in History,’ Japanese officials resend cherry trees to America after narrowly avoiding a political and ecological disaster.
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Thomas Jefferson and the Snub Heard Round the World
The ‘Merry Affair’ became a diplomatic faux pas when Jefferson instituted a ‘pell-mell’ approach to etiquette.
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Arland Williams: The Man Who ‘Passed the Rope’ to Others
The Citadel alum and bank executive gave up his chance to survive a horrible plane crash so that others might live.
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‘America’s Founding Son’: A Curious Riff on John Quincy Adams
Bassist-turned-historian Bob Crawford recalls the sixth U.S. President in a well-researched but eccentric writing style.
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Philadelphia’s Independence Seaport Museum Celebrates America’s Semiquincentennial
‘Seeking Profit and Power’ exhibition takes visitors on an extraordinary voyage through the history of America’s commercial and diplomatic exchange with China.
|
Marble House: Gilded Age Grandeur
In this installment of ‘Larger Than Life: Architecture Through the Ages,’ we visit a beaux arts summer ‘cottage’ in Newport, Rhode Island.
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The Importance of Making Room for Faith in Medicine
Having witnessed many miraculous recoveries after praying for his patients, Dr. Chauncey Crandall is a true believer in how faith and healing go hand in hand.
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How to Plan Your Adventure on the ‘Redwood Highway’ in California
Five redwood parks on a breathtaking corridor are considered not only the best places to see the colossi in California but also in the world.
|
Brief, Insightful Look at William Seward’s Efforts to Avoid Civil War
C. Evan Stewart’s study of Seward’s actions during the Secession Winter gives the Civil War secretary of state his due.
|
‘Walden for Hire’: Thoroughly Modern Thoreau
Ken Lizotte reimagines the 19th-century philosopher as a 21st-century business guru.
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‘Don’t Waste Sympathy on Me, I’m the Happiest Person Alive’
This installment of ‘When Character Counted’ brings us to Fanny Crosby, a blind lyricist, composer, and poet whose hymns have touched and transformed millions.
|
By Documenting Her Adventures, Solo Female Rancher Hopes to Inspire More to Embrace Homesteading
Feeling disconnected after years of living in the big city, Emmie Sperandeo finally found peace and belonging as a rancher amid the mountains of Montana.
|
Houdon’s Remarkable Marble Bust of Benjamin Franklin
The French sculptor’s likeness of many American luminaries honor their personalities and achievements.
|
A Camp Hopes to Give Troubled Teens the Chance to Heal Inner Wounds out in Nature
A ranch in Maryland wants to help troubled teenage girls with an uncommon approach: through learning horse riding and survival skills.
|
Screams in the Night, a Toddler’s Ear, and 12 Words
This installment of ‘When Character Counted’ brings us to Whittaker Chambers, who risked everything to leave Marxism and totalitarianism.
|
James Merritt Ives: Producing Picture Prints of Americana
In this installment of ‘Art of Liberty,’ we meet the partner who made Currier & Ives prints popular in 19th-century American homes.
|
Ned LeDoux Lends Vocals to Dan Seals’s ‘God Must Be a Cowboy’
The latest rendition of the classic country song debuted March 13, 2026.
|
George Eastman: The Man Who Put Photography in the Hands of the World
He didn’t invent photography—he democratized it. George Eastman’s innovations transformed a complex craft into an everyday habit.
|
James West and Gerhard Sessler: The Two Scientists Who Pioneered the Design of Modern-Day Microphones
How two physicists transformed bulky studio equipment into the small, low-cost microphones that power modern communication.
|
Rock Solid Patriotism: This Artist Doesn’t Take America for Granite
In this installment of ‘History Off the Beaten Path,’ we take a look at one man’s American spirit expressed artistically in towns all over the United States.
|
First Lady Taft and the Near-Disastrous Arrival of the Cherry Tree
In ‘This Week in History,’ Japanese officials resend cherry trees to America after narrowly avoiding a political and ecological disaster.
|
Thomas Jefferson and the Snub Heard Round the World
The ‘Merry Affair’ became a diplomatic faux pas when Jefferson instituted a ‘pell-mell’ approach to etiquette.
|
Arland Williams: The Man Who ‘Passed the Rope’ to Others
The Citadel alum and bank executive gave up his chance to survive a horrible plane crash so that others might live.
|
‘America’s Founding Son’: A Curious Riff on John Quincy Adams
Bassist-turned-historian Bob Crawford recalls the sixth U.S. President in a well-researched but eccentric writing style.
|
Philadelphia’s Independence Seaport Museum Celebrates America’s Semiquincentennial
‘Seeking Profit and Power’ exhibition takes visitors on an extraordinary voyage through the history of America’s commercial and diplomatic exchange with China.
|
Marble House: Gilded Age Grandeur
In this installment of ‘Larger Than Life: Architecture Through the Ages,’ we visit a beaux arts summer ‘cottage’ in Newport, Rhode Island.
|
The Importance of Making Room for Faith in Medicine
Having witnessed many miraculous recoveries after praying for his patients, Dr. Chauncey Crandall is a true believer in how faith and healing go hand in hand.
|
How to Plan Your Adventure on the ‘Redwood Highway’ in California
Five redwood parks on a breathtaking corridor are considered not only the best places to see the colossi in California but also in the world.
|
Brief, Insightful Look at William Seward’s Efforts to Avoid Civil War
C. Evan Stewart’s study of Seward’s actions during the Secession Winter gives the Civil War secretary of state his due.
|
‘Walden for Hire’: Thoroughly Modern Thoreau
Ken Lizotte reimagines the 19th-century philosopher as a 21st-century business guru.
|
‘Don’t Waste Sympathy on Me, I’m the Happiest Person Alive’
This installment of ‘When Character Counted’ brings us to Fanny Crosby, a blind lyricist, composer, and poet whose hymns have touched and transformed millions.
|
By Documenting Her Adventures, Solo Female Rancher Hopes to Inspire More to Embrace Homesteading
Feeling disconnected after years of living in the big city, Emmie Sperandeo finally found peace and belonging as a rancher amid the mountains of Montana.
|
Houdon’s Remarkable Marble Bust of Benjamin Franklin
The French sculptor’s likeness of many American luminaries honor their personalities and achievements.
|
A Camp Hopes to Give Troubled Teens the Chance to Heal Inner Wounds out in Nature
A ranch in Maryland wants to help troubled teenage girls with an uncommon approach: through learning horse riding and survival skills.
|
Screams in the Night, a Toddler’s Ear, and 12 Words
This installment of ‘When Character Counted’ brings us to Whittaker Chambers, who risked everything to leave Marxism and totalitarianism.
|
James Merritt Ives: Producing Picture Prints of Americana
In this installment of ‘Art of Liberty,’ we meet the partner who made Currier & Ives prints popular in 19th-century American homes.
|