Monday, February 22, 2010

American Dreaming: Origin of the Term "American Dream"




When do you think the term "American Dream" was coined? You might be surprised at the answer.

The Library of Congress has this to say:

The term was first used by James Truslow Adams in his book The Epic of America which was written in 1931. He states: "The American Dream is "that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement. It is a difficult dream for the European upper classes to interpret adequately, and too many of us ourselves have grown weary and mistrustful of it. It is not a dream of motor cars and high wages merely, but a dream of social order in which each man and each woman shall be able to attain to the fullest stature of which they are innately capable, and be recognized by others for what they are, regardless of the fortuitous circumstances of birth or position."



Do you know who this guy is?

Would it help if I showed you this?




Go here for an interesting story about him. Then come back and comment!

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