| 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. |
Author Archives: melissa
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.
Born in the USA: The Chinese Immigrant Son Who Fought for Birthright Citizenship
In an important U.S. immigration law milestone, Wong Kim Ark sued the U.S. government to recognize birthright citizenship for children of immigrants. Read the remarkable story here.
COVID-19 Has Resurrected Single-Use Plastics—Are They Back to Stay?
Measures to safeguard public health during the coronavirus pandemic might jeopardize hard-won environmental protections against waste from single-use plastics. Read this article to find out more.
Laughing at the Expense of Labor and Capital
For nearly fifty years, the American humor magazine Puck sent up politicians, industrialists, capitalists, and even laborers in sophisticated, thought-provoking cartoons. View this gallery of cartoons lampooning the extravagance of the gilded age.
9 Things You May Not Know About the Declaration of Independence
Read nine interesting, yet not-so-well-known stories about the people, places, and events surrounding one of America’s most important founding documents.
The History of Naturalization Requirements in the U.S.
The process of becoming a U.S. citizen has undergone many changes over 200 years. This detailed timeline tells the story.
The Global Cost of Electronic Waste
E-waste, used and frequently discarded computers, tablets, smartphones and other electronics, is the fastest-growing municipal waste stream in the United States. Read this opinion piece about the causes and possible solutions to this mounting environmental threat.
Gilded Age Wives Set Philanthropy’s Gold Standard
The philanthropy of the wives of some of the richest men in American history supported universities, museums, and other institutions. They redefined the traditional role of wealthy women, setting a standard for today’s philanthropic community. Learn more in this short feature.
What Happened To British Loyalists After The Revolutionary War?
At the time of the American Revolution, not every colonist wanted to sever ties with the British Crown. In this short interview, a historian describes the perils of being a Loyalist during and following the Revolutionary War.
Meet Angela, The First Named African Woman in Jamestown
An Angolan woman called Angela was among the first Africans to arrive in the North American territory that would become the United States. Learn more about Angela, the Central African kingdom of Ndongo where she was born, and how she and other captives lived in Jamestown.
This Clothing Line is Saving Textile Waste and Paying Fair Wages
At Zero Waste Daniel, New York-based designer Daniel Silverstein creates fashion that is both environment-conscious and socially responsible. Watch this short video to find out more.
Experts Affirm That Coronavirus Is ‘Highly Unlikely’ To Be Food Risk
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, scientists have been working to discover the risks and ways to protect our health, including the foods we eat. Read some of their findings in this article.