In 2014, Nubia Wilson turned 16. But instead of celebrating with a glitzy Sweet 16 party, this California teen committed her milestone to improving the lives of orphans in Ethiopia.
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‘Wild’ film prompts surge in interest in Pacific Crest Trail
In the film Wild, based on Cheryl Strayed’s memoir and starring Reese Witherspoon, a woman rediscovers herself as she hikes the Pacific Crest Trail alone. It has inspired others to attempt the journey.
Alexander Hamilton: The nation’s founding blogger
Before the signing of the Constitution, Federalists and anti-Federalists each wrote a series of essays debating its key points. As the primary author of the Federalist Papers, Alexander Hamilton’s opinions are still regarded today.
NAACP: A Century in the Fight for Freedom
The NAACP has worked from its founding over a hundred years ago to promote equal rights in the United States. Explore this multimedia exhibition from the Library of Congress to learn about the organization’s founders, history, and accomplishments.
History of Valentine’s Day
Each February 14th, people express their love for each other with cards, flowers, and candy. How did this tradition start? This HISTORY feature has the answers.
Overview
Every astronaut learns a great deal about the Earth and its place in the cosmos before going into space. But once they see the Earth from space, everything changes. Watch this short film to learn why.
What Unites These States?
Pulitzer Prize-winning author Phillip Caputo drove across the country, from Key West, Florida, to Deadhorse, Alaska, in search of common ground. Discover what he learned from his experience about what unites Americans.
10 Inspiring Stories of Everyday Heroes
Anyone can become a hero, no matter how ordinary his or her beginnings may have been. Learn about ten regular people with the dedication and drive to accomplish heroic deeds.
The Animal Self
Like humans, animals have distinct personalities. This article by Charles Siebert details research into patterns of behavior exhibited by individuals in a wide variety of animal species.
Feeling powerless increases the weight of the world . . . literally
A sense of powerlessness may make you feel unhappy, but it also has documented physical effects. Here are the results of a study that shows one way a feeling of powerlessness affects your perception of the world in a measurable way.
Sixty Years Later, the Story of PT-109 Still Captivates
In 1943, a Japanese destroyer sank a young American naval lieutenant’s boat in the South Pacific. What followed was a tale of determination and courage, as the crew was saved by that lieutenant—who would one day become President.
Why do some of us love to be scared?
Are you a Thrillseeker? New research shows people differ in their chemical response to thrilling situations. Read about why some of us enjoy being scared, while others don’t.
Home? Teen Refugees and Immigrants Explore Their Tucson
Read about, and view some of the material from, this exhibit in which student refugees and immigrants in Tuscon, AZ, explore the concept of home.
Richard Branson on Taking Risks
Entrepreneur Richard Branson explains how he has improved his businesses through competition and record-setting pursuits, including an attempt to fly around the world in a balloon.
Our war-torn world needs a new mediating body to resolve conflicts
An author of the 2014 book The Fog of Peace: The Human Face of Conflict Resolution examines barriers to resolving conflicts in Syria and elsewhere in this opinion piece.
Shakespeare in Love
The 1998 film Shakespeare in Love, winner of the Academy Award for Best Picture, presented a fictionalized young William Shakespeare in the process of writing The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet. Get a sneak peek by reading legendary film critic Roger Ebert’s review.
The Tank Man
In 1989, many Chinese citizens participated in nonviolent protests favoring a change to democracy. The Chinese government quickly used its military power to put a stop to the protests. The iconic image that exemplifies this brief era is of a lone man confronting a long line of army tanks in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square. This Frontline documentary explores the Tank Man’s impact and legacy.
CEOs say how you treat a waiter can predict a lot about character
Most of us have experienced being treated as if we were less important than others, because of our age or social status or some other factor. But the people who make hiring decisions for some companies have taken notice, finding that how a job seeker treats those in service positions accurately reflects his or her character.
What Democracy Means To Us Today
In 2015, the Magna Carta, one of the most important documents in English history, celebrated its 800th anniversary. The Magna Carta became the model for our own United States Constitution and Bill of Rights. Read about why we should never take a democratic society for granted, and explore the site to learn more.
Why Shakespeare Matters
The Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, D.C., houses one of the richest collections of materials related to William Shakespeare and fosters research, productions, and educational outreach. Why devote so much effort to works over 400 years old, by an author from another country?