Musicians in the Continental Army did more than boost morale among soldiers. Drumbeats and fife whistles also provided important instructions, on and off the battlefields.
Author Archives: melissa
‘We Are All Accumulating Mountains of Things’
Online shopping can be a convenience. Yet the ease of buying online might also contribute to hoarding disorder and overspending. Review the research in this article to find out more.
When Industrialists Got Rich, Architecture Went Wild
From white marble to gold, homes of the wealthy in the Gilded Age featured opulent details. Learn about the architects who built these extravagant homes.
Dunlap Broadside History
Visit this online exhibit to learn about the Dunlap Broadside, one of the first printed copies of the Declaration of Independence.
America’s True History of Religious Tolerance
Freedom of religion has brought many immigrants to the United States. This article traverses the complex and largely unacknowledged historical struggle for religious tolerance in the United States.
How to Stop Discarded Face Masks from Polluting the Planet
Combatting the coronavirus has increased production of surgical masks, creating a potential environmental hazard. Read about the risks and ways to protect the planet.
Is Hypnosis Real?
In this short column, a doctor dispels myths about hypnosis to finally answer that age old question: Is hypnosis real?
What Part of Legal Immigration Don’t You Understand?
This graphic novel-inspired illustration takes an honest yet humorous look at the process of legal immigration. Click on the image to enlarge it and view details.
The Silent “Sixth” Sense
Proprioception is the way the human body remains aware of itself, even in darkness. Learn more about this mysterious and fascinating function of the brain in this article.
Labor Wars in the U.S.
This detailed timeline describes several key conflicts in the historic struggle between prosperous industrialists and the workers whose labor drove their profits.
How The Voting Rights Act Came To Be And How It’s Changed
Read about recent interpretations of and challenges to the pivotal Voting Rights Act of 1965.
America’s First Immigration Center Was Also an Amusement Park
| Castle Garden, originally a Revolutionary Era fort, was repurposed into an amusement park for fashionable New Yorkers in the late 1800s. Then it became the nation’s first immigrant welcome center. Read this short feature to discover how. |
Extreme Dining in the Gilded Age
| Wealthy Americans of the Gilded Age often indulged in extravagance—even when hosting dinner parties. This short article features important dinner etiquette for hosts and guests, and even includes a menu. |
Women in the American Revolution
| Molly Pitcher and Betsy Ross are familiar names in the history of women in America’s Revolutionary Era. Read this detailed article to learn the stories of other women who supported the war effort. |
Why Do We Buy What We Buy?
In this interview, a sociologist explains how competition among consumers—not necessarily the providers of goods and services—is what drives spending.
Forget Everything You Think You Know About Time
A theoretical physicist challenges the widely-accepted linear representation of time.
15 Surprising Things That Are Made from Recycled Materials
From soap to kitty litter, here’s a list of everyday items made from recycled materials that might astonish you.
How Computer-Assisted Telepathy Helps Humans Communicate
Can computers allow people to telepathically communicate? Read this short article and view the accompanying video to learn more about research into computer-assisted human telepathic communication.
How the Santa Fe Railroad Changed America Forever
Often historically overshadowed by the first transcontinental railroad, America’s second transcontinental line had a lasting impact on the country’s landscape and economy, giving rise to major cities and introducing new industries. Explore this article to learn more.
The Real Story of Revere’s Ride
Learn the real story behind the famous midnight ride of one of America’s most storied Sons of Liberty. Click on the interactive map to learn more about Revere’s route.