As colonists faced tough odds in the Revolutionary War, America’s first diplomat worked his charm to win France’s vital backing.
Tag Archives: Historic Figures
How to celebrate Shakespeare’s birthday
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.
The “Lieber Code” – The First Modern Codification of the Laws of War
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.
6 Black Heroes of the Civil War
Read about acts of courage that left a lasting impact during the American Civil War.
How the Costumes of ‘American Born Chinese’ Straddle Fantasy and Reality
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-Fan King Charles Celebrates 400 Years Since the First Folio
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 Biography
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.
How Anne Frank’s Diary Changed the World
See pages from Anne Frank’s diary with explanatory notes in this excerpt from the book 100 Documents That Changed the World.
10 Facts about Madame D’Aulnoy Who Coined the Word Fairytale
D’Aulnoy helped create the fairytale genre we know and enjoy today. Skim the article to find out some interesting facts about her life and work.
Since American Revolution, women have played part on front lines
Women in the United States have always been active participants in war efforts, dating all the way back to the American Revolution.
9 Legends of American Folklore
Words like “myth” and “legend” often make you think of stories from thousands of years ago, but new legends are always being created. America is no exception, with a number of popular myths spreading during the 1800s as the country expanded westward. This article provides a high-level summary of nine of the most well-known American frontier legends–some entirely fictional, but some based on exaggerations around real people and events.
The shortest American Civil War summary you’ll ever read
Key dates and events are highlighted in this brief, informative overview of the American Civil War.
Surviving copies of Shakespeare’s First Folio to go on show
Many of Shakespeare’s works might be lost to us forever had they not been preserved in a collection of published manuscripts known as the First Folio.
1776 Musical brings vibrant nontraditional casting of founding fathers to stage at DCPA
Read about how 1776, a musical about the founding fathers, takes on a modern and thought-provoking twist through its most diverse cast to date.
‘Queen of Salsa’ has her own US quarter
Celia Cruz, a Cuban American Salsa legend, continues to make her mark on American History.
Barbara Johns: The US’ forgotten civil rights hero
In 1951, 16-year-old Barbara Johns found herself in the middle of the fight to end segregation in American schools, an effort she compared to “reaching for the moon.”
Edgar Allan Poe’s ‘The Lake’
Many people know Edgar Allen Poe for his short stories, but did you know he was a poet, as well? Many of his poems play with the same themes as his stories, including one he dedicated to an unknown person and that scholars believe was written about a real-life haunted lake…
A century after Harriet Tubman died, scholars try to separate fact from fiction
Harriet Tubman has long been a legend in the fight to abolish slavery in the United States. Recently, scholars have begun to take a closer look at what we think we know about the woman behind the legend.
Jack London Biography
In this biography, learn how Jack London’s adventurous life inspired his novels and stories.
The Declaration of Independence Was Also a List of Grievances
Learn about how the grievances of King George III were used to justify the American Revolution and win French support throughout the war.