One of America’s strengths is the way its people have come together from all over the world, many of them through Ellis Island. But the persistent myth that immigrant’s names were “Americanized” by officials at Ellis Island is false.
Tag Archives: Culture & Society
Can Travel Change You?
Journeys of discovery aren’t just for epic heroes. Anytime we travel someplace new, we change and grow.
What Is Diffusion of Responsibility?
As an adult, you are responsible for your actions. However, when people are in a group, they don’t always take responsibility for taking action. Read about why this occurs and what decisions a person must make, especially in an emergency.
Odysseus’ Ship
In 1988, an ancient ship was found in the sea near the coast of southern Sicily. Learn how scientists and scholars decided that this old vessel could possibly be of the same time period as one of Odysseus’ ships.
Cave Paintings and Artifacts
The ideas of people who lived tens of thousands of years ago are preserved in cave paintings. Read what art historians speculate cave dwellers were trying to communicate.
Forgiveness vs. Reconciliation
Psychologist Ryan Howes explains that forgiveness is a singular act, while reconciliation is an interpersonal process.
Could Paternity Leave Policies Close the Wage Gap?
In this article, business writer Vivian Giang argues that offering fathers more paternity leave will decrease the gender gap.
The Great Myth of Success
In this column, Inc. editor John Brandon offers an alternative framework to the definition of success.
Building the First Slavery Museum in America
In December 2014, a museum dedicated to the story of slavery in the United States opened on the grounds of the Whitney Plantation in Louisiana.
How Technology Makes Us Better Social Beings
Contradicting other studies, sociologist Keith Hampton has found that social networks like Facebook have connected people more than separated them.
Finishing the Dream
Great civil rights advances have been achieved in the United States, but there is still much to be done for the full equality of all. Explore this NBC site to learn about how far we’ve come and how far we have to go.
How Facebook Makes Us Unhappy
Social media can help people connect with others, but it has other, less-positive effects as well. A best-selling psychology author explores this surprising phenomenon.
From World’s Fair to Maker Faire: Isaac Asimov
In 1964, science fiction writer Isaac Asimov made predictions of many technological advancements. Many are here today. Will your work in the future bring more of his visions into our lives?
How the Vikings Worked
Many people have heard of the Viking god Thor and his mighty hammer. But the Vikings worshiped many gods and goddesses, just like the ancient Greeks. Read about their gods, evil giants, Valhalla, and more of their mythology as told in their sagas.
Rosa Parks
Rosa Parks is well known for her decision not to give up her seat to a white person on a segregated bus during a time when a racist law forced African Americans to do this. Learn more about the life and efforts of this unassuming hero.
Richmond will fall again for 150th anniversary
Read about a four-day commemoration in Richmond, V.A. which will mark the 150th anniversary of the fall of the Confederacy’s capital on April 3, 1865.
Why we love ghost stories
Author Ilie Ruby recalls the thrills of hearing ghost stories around campfires and explores why it is we are drawn to them.
Students, Swedish-Americans swap immigrant stories
Learn about an initiative at Wellstone High School in Minneapolis, Minnesota, called Story Swap. This program aims to teach the students about what they have in common with past immigrants like the Swedes.
Girl helps paramedics through sign language skills
A 10-year-old girl who learned sign language from her mother found herself putting it to use in an unexpected way.
Gordon Parks exhibit offers intimate glimpse into segregation-era life for African Americans
In 1950, just before the Civil Rights movement, Gordon Parks took a series of photographs of Fort Scott, Kansas, his hometown, for Life magazine. Now on display in an exhibit at Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts, art lecturer Toni Pepe Den reviews the images.