In 1989, the Chinese government silenced a pro-democracy protest in Tiananmen Square. An unknown number of protesters, mostly college students, were killed by their government. To this day, the Chinese government censors the media to prevent its people from learning about this event. Explore this photo essay to learn more.
On January 23, 2012, the ban on women in combat positions in the U.S. military was lifted, eliminating all unnecessary gender-based barriers to service. Though many rejoice about this change, others are concerned about the impact it will have. Read the article and watch the video in which Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta announced the end of a ban.
Gendering is a sociological term for a field that is dominated by one gender. This article explores why there aren’t more men in publishing and whether that contributes to men’s lower interest in reading.
Did you know that only one female director has ever won an Academy Award? Why are there so few women making movies? And what should we do about it? Explore the opinions of eight different writers.
Finland has one of the most successful education systems in the world, whereas the United States remains mired in the middle. What is Finland doing differently, and why aren’t we trying it?
There is no doubt that the Internet and social media have become an essential part of every child’s life, but is that a good thing? Consider two very different perspectives on the influences of these technological advances on children.
Though women have been breaking gender barriers for decades, the playing fields still aren’t level. Read about Lisa Leslie’s fight to gain support for the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) and other women’s professional sports.
Embark on a virtual visit of Walden Pond, the famous site that inspired Henry David Thoreau’s Walden.
Many consider the label “African-American” to describe people who are descended from slaves that were brought to the United States against their will, forced into slavery, and eventually emancipated. Countless African immigrants do not identify with this narrative, though they find themselves associated with it. What does it mean to be African-American and for whom is it an accurate label?
How do Native American tribes keep their cultures alive while still responding to the changing world around them? Filmmaker Chris Eyre shares his thoughts and hopes.
Scientists assert that climate change is inevitable. The good news, however, is that humans can adapt to it. Read this article to learn one writer’s opinion about how we can do that.
Adolescence is a time of great change. Learn more about the changes your brain is undergoing and the effects of those changes.
A television project that targets countries grappling with a serious conflict, The Team uses a fictional, soccer-related drama to help people consider resolutions and come to mutual understandings. The program has been widely successful because it is produced locally, with people who truly understand the conflict in the area.
A 14-year-old refugee from Syria to Lebanon, Cayanne speaks candidly about what it felt like to have her childhood stolen by war. Read her story, and watch the video of her interview.
Did you know that there is such a thing as broken heart syndrome? Read to learn about the health risks of love and loss.
Not everyone gives chocolates and flowers on Valentine’s Day. Read about a few unusual customs from the past.
In today’s world, who would have thought that farming could unite those living in bustling urban areas? Find out how some city dwellers are coming together to feed themselves with locally grown fruits and vegetables.
Nobel Prize-winning author Nadine Gordimer writes about South Africa and the effects of apartheid on its people. Learn more about apartheid, from its origins to its end in 1994.
Read or listen to this story about 17-year-old Rochelle Ballantyne, who is about to become the first ever African-American female chess master. Balancing chess with volunteering in after-school programs, helping out at home, and applying to colleges, Ballantyne works hard for everything she’s earned.
If horror movies are so scary, why do people like them? Discover why people enjoy being scared out of their wits.
