Welcome to
It Seems Like Yesterday
Bang! Crash! Boom! Welcome to the first issue of It Seems Like Yesterday,
an on-line quarterly magazine exploding with information about the history
of the Baby Boom generation. Inspired by History Television's documentary series
It Seems Like Yesterday, this site explores the reverberations of the post World War II population explosion in North America
Born between 1946 and 1964, the Baby Boomers have impacted on every facet
of society - from music to movies, politics to poetry, and fashion to fast
food. This inaugural issue looks at the big picture, providing a sampling
of what (and who) has defined the Boom - bouncing birth rates, the advent
of television, the fitness craze, and the rising stars of Marilyn, Elvis
and the Beatles. Upcoming issues will zero in on the different eras of the
Boomers for a closer look - stay tuned in the months ahead for more on the
Atomic Age of the Fifties, the Sixties' Youth Quake, and the Disco Years of
the Seventies.
Just like the documentary TV show, this e-zine offers a fun, light-hearted
approach to learning about history. Feature articles trace the headlining
stories of each era, providing a glimpse at how writers saw the events at
the time. Challenging crossward puzzles are based on related themes, while
fascinating factoids allow you to test your knowledge about the period.
Links take you to related choice websites, and our on-line forum, Backtalk,
provides an opportunity to exchange stories and info with others. Discover
all that this site has to offer by going to the Table of Contents -
and then sit back, relax, and let the learning begin!
About the TV Series
Entertaining and educational, It Seems Like Yesterday returns to History
Television for a second successful season. Aired Monday through Friday at
7.30pm ET, this Gemini nominated series presents a nostalgic snapshot of
events from memorable weeks in 20th century history. The second season
focuses on the Baby Boom Years from 1945 to 1980. Using vintage television
shows, movies, newsreels, music videos and ads, those times are brought
to life. For some, it will be a trip down memory lane; for others, it will
provide an engaging introduction to our recent history. But history was
never like this in school, thanks in part to the inimitable style of host
Rick Mercer.
Mercer makes this history of popular culture come alive every weeknight for
viewers. Best known for his comedic talents on This Hour Has 22 Minutes,
he is also an actor, social commentator and best-selling author. Mercer
says he was excited to take on the hosting duties of the show for a second
season, despite his hectic schedule. "I've always heard that history
repeats itself," he commented. "If that's true, then I'll get residuals."
It Seems Life Yesterday is produced by Breakthrough Entertainment in
association with History Television. It has been made with the assistance
of the Bell Fund and the Canada Television and Cable Production Fund -
License Fee Program, and the Canadian and Ontario Film or Video Tax Credit
programs. History Television was a natural broadcaster for the show
because of its mandate to provide a uniquely Canadian perspective on the
people, trends and events that shape our world. History Television features
an interesting and entertaining blend of documentaries, movies and original
historical programming from Canada and around the world. The Bell Fund,
created to encourage links between the Canadian broadcast and new media
sectors, has provided support both for the making of the show and this
website.
Breakthrough Entertainment can add It Seems Like Yesterday to a slate of
successful shows. Headed by executive producers Ira Levy and Peter
Williamson, Breakthrough, one of Canada's most prolific producers of
television programming, is also known for creating the successful shows The
Adventures of Dudley the Dragon and What's for Dinner?
So join It Seems Like Yesterday for an unusual sampling of popular
history. From the Nuremberg Trials and I Love Lucy, to Tupperware parties
and the assassination of John Lennon , it recalls not only the big stories
of the day, but also the small things that were important to daily life.
The result is sometimes surprising, sometimes familiar, but always engaging
and informative.
