The First Big Payment

The first warm breezes, traveling north, carried the familiar small sounds of spring: the honk of wild geese, the liquid whistle of red-winged blackbirds. But they were drowned in greater sounds: factory whistles, rivet hammers, the sound of tractors, axes, exhausts. Greenup time was only a pastel shade among the primary colors of the revolutionized American landscape. There was no winter's slumber to awaken from, this year.

Unnoticed Change. The nation was full of confounding bustle. The U.S. was wholly in motion for the first time. Every night was like Saturday night....

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!