Three Forgotten Wholesome Stories from America

Most of us sing "Happy Birthday" without knowing the two sisters who created it in a Louisville classroom. We've heard of Johnny Appleseed, but the real story reveals a successful businessman, not a barefoot wanderer. And the Statue of Liberty's pedestal was paid for by America's first crowdfunding campaign—ordinary people donating pennies to save Lady Liberty from going to Baltimore instead of New York.This week on Hometown History, we're taking a break from mysteries and tragedies to celebrate three wholesome stories from America's past. In 1893, kindergarten teacher Patty Hill and her musician sister Mildred wrote "Good Morning to All" to brighten their students' day. Across the frontier, John Chapman planted systematic apple orchards from Pennsylvania to Illinois, building a legacy that still feeds America. And in 1885, newspaper publisher Joseph Pulitzer launched a campaign that raised $100,000 from small donors—mostly children—to complete the statue's pedestal.These forgotten acts of kindness, creativity, and generosity reveal the quieter parts of American history. From Louisville classrooms to New York Harbor, these stories prove that our past isn't all darkness—sometimes it's worth looking back just to appreciate what came before.Subscribe to Hometown History for forgotten American history stories every Tuesday. Every hometown has a story worth preserving—what's yours?Episode OverviewThis anthology episode celebrates three overlooked positive moments in American history: the classroom song that became "Happy Birthday," the businessman behind the Johnny Appleseed legend, and America's first crowdfunding campaign to save the Statue of Liberty's pedestal.Story 1: The Hill Sisters and "Happy Birthday"Location: Louisville, KentuckyYear: 1893Key Figures:Patty Smith Hill - Kindergarten teacher, early childhood education pioneerMildred J. Hill - Musician, composer, cultural observerTimeline:1893: Sisters create "Good Morning to All" for Patty's kindergarten studentsUnknown date (local legend): Song spontaneously adapted to birthday version at Little Loom House partyLate 1800s-early 1900s: Birthday version spreads organically across AmericaPresent day: "Happy Birthday Circle" fundraising for public tribute in LouisvilleThe Story: What began as a simple morning greeting for young students became the world's most-sung song. The Hill sisters' contributions to education and American music are often forgotten, despite Mildred's role in documenting early blues and jazz influences from Black street vendors, and Patty's pioneering work in child-centered learning environments.Legacy: Louisville's Happy Birthday Circle is raising funds to build a waterfront park honoring the sisters' contributions to American culture and education.Story 2: Johnny Appleseed - The Real John ChapmanLocation: Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Ontario (frontier territories)Years: 1774-1845 (active planting: 1790s-1840s)Key Figure:John Chapman (Johnny Appleseed) - Nurseryman, businessman, missionary, conservationistTimeline:1774: Born in Massachusetts1790s: Began planting apple nurseries in Pennsylvania1800-1845: Expanded systematic nursery network across Ohio, Indiana, IllinoisAccumulated approximately 1,200 acres across three statesPresent day: Apple Inc. honors his legacy with "John Appleseed" default placeholder nameThe Story: Contrary to folklore depicting a random seed-scatterer, John Chapman was a methodical businessman who selected ideal locations, planted protected nurseries, arranged loca