The book spine on every one was a different color. I remember that I would run to the spot by the check-out that had the display with 'The Golden Book Encyclopedias' to see if the newest volume came in....and I would pour over every page when we returned home with the groceries. It was 1959 and I was nine years old. The books were so popular that most everyone near my age remembers these bi-weekly children's encyclopedias. Over the years I would comment on them to my wife, and this Christmas she surprised me by ordering the entire series for me...16 volumes.....only one condition.....they don't go on the living room bookshelf.
So I'll pick one up every once in while to read through, and as I do so I can remember a lot of the pictures that obviously made an imprint on me way back then. I'm on volume eight...."Hudson to Korea"....and so came to IMMIGRATION tonight....and thought that the following description....which was probably standard fare for a nine year old back then....would be interesting reading today. It's little less than half of the 300 words used in the Golden Book..... "For many years the United States welcomed everyone who wished to come to live there. But the time came when so many people wanted to come from some of the world's very crowded countries that it seemed wise to set some limits. Now the United States has immigration quotas. Each year only so many people may come in from another country. Even those for whom there is room are looked over carefully before they are allowed to enter. The United States does not allow anyone to come in who has a contagious disease. It does not allow anyone to come in who shows signs that he will not be able to learn American ways. Criminals and people who might try to overthrow the government are shut out..."
An old song lyric came to mind....."The grocery store's the super mart, uh huh"....and a little later....."Grandmas sit in chairs and reminisce....(obviously Grandpas too).....boys keep chasing girls to get a kiss"....(not unless they want to miss the rest of recess and get handcuffed and finger-printed they don't).....and the beat goes on.
So I'll pick one up every once in while to read through, and as I do so I can remember a lot of the pictures that obviously made an imprint on me way back then. I'm on volume eight...."Hudson to Korea"....and so came to IMMIGRATION tonight....and thought that the following description....which was probably standard fare for a nine year old back then....would be interesting reading today. It's little less than half of the 300 words used in the Golden Book..... "For many years the United States welcomed everyone who wished to come to live there. But the time came when so many people wanted to come from some of the world's very crowded countries that it seemed wise to set some limits. Now the United States has immigration quotas. Each year only so many people may come in from another country. Even those for whom there is room are looked over carefully before they are allowed to enter. The United States does not allow anyone to come in who has a contagious disease. It does not allow anyone to come in who shows signs that he will not be able to learn American ways. Criminals and people who might try to overthrow the government are shut out..."
An old song lyric came to mind....."The grocery store's the super mart, uh huh"....and a little later....."Grandmas sit in chairs and reminisce....(obviously Grandpas too).....boys keep chasing girls to get a kiss"....(not unless they want to miss the rest of recess and get handcuffed and finger-printed they don't).....and the beat goes on.
