At “Poverty Parties” during the Gilded Age, the rich would transform from riches to rags to “free” themselves from the constraints of society. Read more about the insensitive parties that took place at a time of significant income disparity.
Tag Archives: Culture & Society
The First Pride Marches, In Photos
The struggle for Gay rights took many forms in the late 1900s, though their goals were the same: equality and acceptance. Look at photos of some of the first Pride parades and learn the history of how modern Pride celebrations came to be.
Saving a Lost Language
Western Carolina University is preserving the Cherokee language, which will help preserve the culture. Learn why this decision matters so much to the Cherokee people.
What Makes Us Human?
Psychologist Thomas Suddendorf argues the importance of identifying the similarities and differences between humans and other animals.
Altering a robot’s gender and social roles may be a screen change away
Researchers at Penn State have found that most participants in a study identified robots as male when they were presented with no gender cues, but simple alterations on the robots’ screens could strengthen anthropomorphic personalities that humans tend to give computers.
Science says parents of successful kids have these 13 things in common
This article outlines 13 things psychologists say indicate the future success of children.
KidsRights Index
Learn which countries do a good (and not-so-good) job of protecting the rights of children. Explore the links to learn more about how each country’s score is tabulated.
10 Facts about the Emancipation Proclamation
Read ten facts about the 1863 Proclamation, one of the most important documents in the history of the United States.
How Minneapolis’ Somali immigrants are keeping their artistic traditions alive
Osman Ali and Sabrina Seyf, Minnesotans of Somali ancestry, love to share their art with the people of Minneapolis. Through artifacts and the art of henna, people learn about the Somali culture.
Why Do We Still Care About Shakespeare?
Four centuries and many changes to the English language have passed since Shakespeare wrote. Here’s why we still read his works.
World Without Borders
The late Garry Davis, a former bomber pilot haunted by his World War II experiences, hoped to unite all of mankind by eliminating national boundaries.
Descendants of Chinese Laborers Reclaim Railroad’s History
The first transcontinental railroad transformed America and came to symbolize a new spirit of unity and cooperation. Yet for decades after its completion, the Chinese workers who made the railroad’s construction possible were overlooked. Recently, steps have been taken to remedy this historical injustice.
Children of the Fifty-Sixers: Growing up in Hungarian Chicago
Author Rebecca Makkai reflects on how her father’s escape from Communist-controlled Hungary in 1956 still echoes in her life in the United States.
The Psychology Of Vanity Sizing
With more and more Americans worried about their weight, clothing makers are making shifts in sizing to make customers feel better about themselves. Read this article to learn more about “vanity sizing.”
‘Nature Is a Powerful Teacher’: The Educational Value of Going Outside
In Boston’s schools, an initiative is creating outdoor spaces for learning and having great success. Students and teachers are finding that these outdoor classrooms are improving education.
Destination America
What is it about the United States that convinces citizens of other nations to leave their homes and lives behind? Visit this site to explore the answers, along with the personal stories of immigrants from Guatemala, Iran, Tibet, the Soviet Union, Taiwan, and Mexico. While you’re there, be sure to browse the photo archives and genealogical resources.
Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots
Learn about this global organization that helps young people identify the challenges they can address in their own communities.
“12 Years a Slave” based on true story
The film 12 Years a Slave is hailed as one of the most accurate portrayals of slavery to come to the movie screen. In this short clip, you will see some scenes from the film and meet the screenwriter.
What if the Secret to Success Is Failure?
What role should character development play in education, and who should be responsible for teaching it? Is failure an essential part of success? Discover how two very different New York schools address these questions.
Shakespeare in Scotland: What did the author of Macbeth know and when did he know it?
Some scholars have long maintained that someone other than William Shakespeare authored some of the Bard’s best-known works. This article explores the idea that a writer with a deeper knowledge of Scotland than Shakespeare could have had must have penned Macbeth.