Researchers and academics search for the answer to this question and offer varying theories.
Author Archives: Anita Hacker
“Yankee Doodle” – Traditional: History of an American folk song
British soldiers sang “Yankee Doodle” to mock the Americans, who eventually turned the song into a source of pride and anthem of their own.
When Did Girls Start Wearing Pink?
Blue is for boys and pink is for girls. Or are they? Read about how the colors associated with gender have changed over time.
5 ways to face your fears through travel
By traveling to exciting new places, confronting phobias might turn into a thrilling adventure. Explore five sites people can visit to overcome fears such as heights or the dark.
King Arthur
The legend of King Arthur, the hero who saved Britain, may not be true, but it has inspired people for more than 1,000 years. Read an article about what we know of Arthur tales, accompanied by a video summing up the most famous stories.
How America’s Leading Science Fiction Authors Are Shaping Your Future
Writer Eileen Gunn explores the pessimistic or optimistic views of science fiction authors and how their stories influence real scientists.
What makes a hero?
This article examines some of the traits that allow people to act heroically or prevent them from doing so.
U.S. Immigration Before 1965
Read about the waves of immigration in the United States and why people chose this country to start new lives in.
Jim Crow Stories: Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)
In 1896, the Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of “separate but equal” laws, which weren’t struck down until almost 60 years later in Brown v. Board of Education.
Fighting…Maybe for Freedom, but probably not
During the Revolutionary War, black soldiers fought for both the Continental army and the British army. Those who fought for the British were often promised freedom, but that promise was mostly unfulfilled.
Can an iPhone App Help Save an Endangered Language?
Technology is being used to help preserve languages, such as Chickasaw, that have seen a drastic reduction in usage.
What turned the Wright brothers into pioneers of flight? Their library.
Gavin Weightman, author of Eureka: How Invention Happens, explains that like some other notable inventors, the Wright Brothers built a large library and taught themselves much of what they knew.
Making Maps Under Fire During the Revolutionary War
Maps, and sometimes their inaccuracy, played an important role in the French and Indian War and in the Revolutionary War.
Why Teens Ignore Risk For a Little Reward
Researchers study dopamine levels in adolescents to understand why they take many risks.
Spanish American War
Read this overview of the Spanish American War and watch the related video about Theodore Roosevelt’s role in it.
Photography and the Civil War, 1861–1865
Read about the work of Civil War photographers, who mostly shot post-battle scenes and camp life, because the laborious process prohibited them from safely documenting the action of battle. Click the image at the top to view a slideshow of photos from the time.
You can do it, baby!
Journalist Leslie Garrett argues that adults shouldn’t tell children, “You could be anything,” but rather, “Be what you’re capable of.”
10 Steps To Conquering Information Overload
Learn about a few ways people can de-clutter their minds at work.
Bessie Coleman
In the face of countless obstacles, Bessie Coleman was determined to become a pilot. Read about her pioneering efforts to become the first African American female pilot in American history.
Write your story, change history
People don’t need to be old to make history. In this talk, Brad Meltzer encourages young people to change the world by following three simple principles.