Did you know that Sleepy Hollow is a real place? And that many of the characters in the story were loosely based on real people? Take a brief tour of the area with National Geographic and learn how Washington Irving got some of his ideas for America’s most famous ghost story.
In October of 1774, the First Continental Congress met to discuss and write a petition to the King. Although the petition didn’t work as planned, the Congress set the stage for what would become the American Revolutionary War.
In honor of Hispanic Heritage month, learn more about these prominent Afro-Latino abolitionists and their fight for freedom across the Americas.
Seventy-seven years after it was first published, this article takes another look at The Diary of a Young Girl. Learn the story behind how and why Anne Frank’s diary got published.
Some scholars of Shakespeare question the identity of the beloved playwright. This article discusses facts that have led some to believe The Merry Wives of Windsor was written by a different author.
Learn more about the legacy of Bernice Johnson Reagon, remembered for her activism, musicianship, and courage.
Though poets often draw on imagery from nature, science and poetry often appear to be set in opposition to each other. Can the world of facts mesh with the world of emotions? In this essay, poet and scientist Pireeni Sundaralingam analyzes the complex relationship between the two.
During the Gilded Age, both Cornelius Vanderbilt and John Rockefeller amassed fortunes by focusing on what they knew best.
A professor explores how a teenager who kept a diary has transformed into a symbol of what the Holocaust stole from the world.
Read about the extraordinary lives and feats of 9 remarkable women.
The legend of King Arthur, the hero who saved Britain, may not be true, but it has inspired people for more than 1,000 years. Read an article about what we know of Arthur tales, accompanied by a video summing up the most famous stories.
Writer, anthropologist, and life of the party, Zora Neale Hurston, was a key figure of the Harlem Renaissance. Read this “retrobituary” to learn about her life and death.
Through hard work and dedication, Cesar Chavez created a labor union for farm workers. His intense desire to make things right came from his own struggles as a child of farm workers.
As colonists faced tough odds in the Revolutionary War, America’s first diplomat worked his charm to win France’s vital backing.
Attention, Shakespeare enthusiasts everywhere! The bard’s birthday is coming up on April 23rd. Check out this link to get some fun ideas for your Shakespeare celebration.
Have you ever heard of the Geneva Conventions? They are a series of treaties that define how many aspects of war are to be conducted–such as the taking of prisoners or treatment of civilians. But did you know the first modern attempt to write rules for warfare actually happened during the Civil War? They were written by Francis Lieber and issued in 1863 by Abraham Lincoln as instructions for what Union soldiers could–and couldn’t–do while waging war in the field.
Read about acts of courage that left a lasting impact during the American Civil War.
The imprint of Greek and Roman mythology is all around us, from the names of our shoes (Nike, the goddess of victory) to the names of the planets (Mercury, Venus, Mars, etc). And maybe a certain recent movie series has made you familiar with a little Norse mythology, like Thor and Loki, too. Now a new show is introducing Western audiences to Chinese mythology. Find out how costume designers approached dressing ancient Chinese gods for a modern American audience.
Shakespeare, an iconic figure in English history, is celebrated and beloved by another significant English figure, King Charles. Read about how and why King Charles celebrates the 400-year anniversary of Shakespeare’s First Folio.
Wilma Rudolph was a remarkable American athlete who overcame massive illness as a young child. Her achievements at the 1960 Olympics were impressive and inspirational.
