February 3, 1959: Buddy Holly and The Day the Music Died

Buddy Holly was one of the most popular American rock and roll musicians of the 1950s. Born in Texas in 1936, he wrote and sang many hit songs, including "Peggy Sue" and "That'll Be the Day." Holly revolutionized rock and roll by writing and composing his own songs—a rarity at the time.

Sadly, Buddy Holly's life was cut short at age 22. On February 3, 1959, he died in a plane crash in Iowa. The crash also claimed the lives of fellow musicians Ritchie Valens and J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson, and this tragic event became known as "The Day the Music Died." The phrase comes from the song "American Pie" by Don McLean. In the song, McLean sings about how music and life changed after the crash. 

Buddy Holly is regarded as an influential figure in the history of music who still inspires people today. 

While Holly's music left a lasting mark on rock and roll, it was his bold choice in eyewear that turned him into a style icon. Holly was never seen without his thick-framed, black horn-rimmed glasses. His bold, chunky frames were unconventional at that time and became a key part of his image. Nowadays they are commonly known as "Buddy Holly glasses."

How to Use the Verb "Suggest" in English

 

The verb "suggest" is a common word used to give advice, make recommendations, or share ideas. However, it is easy to use incorrectly, especially for English learners. One common mistake is saying, "I suggest you" or "He suggested me" instead of the correct structure.

The Correct Structure

1. "Suggest" + Gerund : Use this when recommending an action.

Example:

• Correct: I suggest taking the train.
• Incorrect: I suggest you to take the train.

2. "Suggest" + "that" + Subject + Verb (base form): Use this to include the subject of the suggestion.

Example:

• Correct: I suggest that you study harder.
• Correct (optional "that"): I suggest you study harder.
• Incorrect: I suggest you to study harder.

3. "Suggest" + Noun: Use this when recommending a thing, place, or idea.

Example:

• Correct: I suggest a good restaurant nearby.
• Incorrect: I suggest you a good restaurant nearby.

Why "Suggest Me" Is Wrong

The verb "suggest" does not take an indirect object (e.g., me, you). If you want to specify who the suggestion is for, use "to" or rephrase the sentence.

Example:

• Correct: He suggested a book to me.
• Correct: He suggested that I read the book.
• Incorrect: He suggested me a book.

Mastering the correct structure for "suggest" will make your English sound more natural and fluent!

Drive-Thru Culture in the USA

Did you know that in the United States, you can do almost everything without leaving your car? This is called drive-thru culture, and it is very popular in America.

Most people know about drive-thru fast food, but did you know there are many other kinds of drive-thru places? For example:

• Drive-thru coffee shops: You can pick up a hot coffee on your way to work.
• Drive-thru pharmacies: Get your medicine without going inside.
• Drive-thru liquor stores: Buy beer, wine, or other drinks.
• Drive-thru libraries: Pick up or return books at some libraries.
• Drive-thru wedding chapels: In Las Vegas, you can even get married in your car!
• Drive-thru medical testing: Remember the Covid days?
• Drive-thru banking

Drive-thrus are popular because many Americans depend on cars for daily life. These services are fast, easy, and convenient. Also, for formal writing, you might still see the spelling "drive-through," but in informal or conversational contexts (like this blog post), "drive-thru" is more natural and authentic.

What do you think about drive-thru culture? Would you use a drive-thru library or wedding chapel? Does your country have anything similar? I prefer to not use my car so much and would rather see more pedestrian-friendly cities. 

What Are Proper Nouns?

 

Proper nouns are special names we give to specific people, places, or things. They are different from other nouns because they always start with a capital letter.

For example:

People: If we say “girl,” it could mean any girl, but if we say Emma or John, we mean a specific person. Here, Emma and John are proper nouns.

Places: If we say “city,” it could mean any city. But if we say Paris or Tokyo, we mean specific cities. Paris and Tokyo are proper nouns.

Things: Names of companies, brands, and even days of the week are also proper nouns. For example, Nike (a brand) and Monday (a day of the week) are proper nouns.

Why Do We Use Proper Nouns? We use proper nouns to give specific names to people, places, and things so we know exactly what we’re talking about. This makes our sentences clearer.

Examples in Sentences:

• Sarah lives in New York.
• Sunday is my favorite day of the week.
• I love to drink Coca-Cola.

Remember, if it’s a specific name, it’s a proper noun and should start with a capital letter.

Paul Bunyan: A Legendary North American Hero

Paul Bunyan is a famous figure in North American folklore. He is known as a giant lumberjack who was incredibly strong. His stories are popular in the United States and Canada, especially in areas where logging was important, like the northern forests.

According to the legend, Paul Bunyan was so big that he created mountains and rivers just by walking. He had a blue ox named Babe, who was also very large. Together, they helped clear forests, making space for people to build towns.

One myth says that Paul created the Grand Canyon by dragging his axe behind him as he walked. Another story claims that he made the Great Lakes so Babe could have drinking water.

Paul Bunyan’s tales are fun and show the adventurous spirit of early America and Canada. Even though Paul wasn’t a real person, his stories have become part of North American culture. They teach us about hard work, strength, and humor.

Many statues of Paul Bunyan can be found across the United States and Canada today, and people still enjoy hearing his larger-than-life adventures.

*artwork by James Watrous at the University of Wisconsin-Madison

The Great Migration

 

The Great Migration was a movement of about 6 million African Americans from the rural Southern United States to cities in the North, Midwest, and West, mainly between 1916 and 1970.

People moved to escape racism, segregation, and limited economic opportunities in the South. They hoped to find better jobs, housing, and overall conditions in Northern cities like Chicago, Detroit, and New York.

This migration significantly changed the cultural, social, and political landscapes of the U.S., especially in urban areas where African American communities grew and thrived.

Michelle Obama, actor Denzel Washington, and jazz musician Miles Davis are descendants of those who made the Great Migration. 

*map credit: priceonomics.com 

Shortly (adverb)

 

Let's explore the adverb "shortly." This word means "in a short time" or "soon." It's useful to know and can help you sound more natural in English.

What Does "Shortly" Mean?

"Shortly" indicates something will happen soon. For example, "The bus will arrive shortly" means the bus is coming soon.

How to Use "Shortly" in Sentences

• Travel Context: Our flight will take off shortly. Please fasten your seatbelts.
• Healthy Living Context: The yoga class will begin shortly. Let's get our mats ready.
• Music Context: The concert is starting start shortly. Are you excited?
• Sports Context: The game will begin shortly. Make sure you find your seats.

Try using "shortly" in your own sentences. 

• For example, write about something you are waiting for: The Amazon truck will arrive shortly.
• Describe an event that is about to happen: The movie will start shortly.

Practice using "shortly" in your daily conversations and writing. The more you use it, the more natural it will feel.