Greek mythology is filled with impossible events and bizarre creatures, but where did the idea of a one-eyed giant come from? Archaeologists have a theory.
Tag Archives: History
Christmas Truce of 1914
World War I is remembered as the first modern war, a devastating conflict that forced people to abandon sentimentality. But early in that conflict, an amazing thing happened: soldiers on opposing sides of battlefields across Europe spontaneously set down their weapons to celebrate Christmas together.
James Madison
James Madison played many important roles in the founding of the nation. Explore this site to learn more about his contributions.
Jacob Riis: Shedding Light On NYC’s ‘Other Half’
This segment discusses the work Jacob Riis did, the tactics he used to communicate his message, and the books others have written about him. View the images Riis took and choose a book excerpt to read.
A Cutting-Edge Second Look at the Battle of Gettysburg
Using modern-day technologies, a team of historians and mapmakers put together a new, interactive view of the Battle of Gettysburg. Explore the maps to get a better idea of what happened.
How to Talk About America’s Newest Arrivals
In this article, Damon Darlin uses the New York Times’ word usage tool to measure the language used about immigrants during different times in history. Look at the charts to see the United States’ immigration rates and the terms used to describe the people who came to the country.
Arab spring: an interactive timeline of Middle East protests
Sparked by the self-immolation death of a Tunisian fruit vendor, the Arab Spring protests swept across North Africa and the Middle East beginning in early 2011. Explore this interactive timeline for a wealth of information about the protests and what they achieved.
Eureka!
“One sometimes finds what one is not looking for,” said Alexander Fleming, whose chance observation of a contaminated experiment led to the the world’s first antibiotic. This Smithsonian article discusses inventions and discoveries that centered on a flash of insight in a mind prepared to see what it wasn’t looking for.
Hurricane Katrina
What contributed to the devastating power of Hurricane Katrina? History® provides text, videos, and links on the formation and impact of Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
Few Artifacts of the Transatlantic Slave Trade Still Exist. These Iron Blocks Help Tell That Gut-Wrenching Story
Divers examining a shipwreck off the southern coast of Africa recovered remnants that bring the human experience of slavery into sharp focus.
The Pre-Viking Legend of Ragnarӧk
One of the best-known Norse myths about the end of the universe may have originated in a real-world ancient catastrophe.
What If: Britain and France Had Not Appeased Hitler in 1938?
One of the first demands made by Nazi leader Adolf Hitler was a small territory called the Sudetenland. The decision European leaders made in response to that demand led to World War II.
Phillis Wheatley
Phillis Wheatley was the first African American to publish a book of poetry in the United States, and the third woman to do so, regardless of race. Learn more about the life of this native of Senegal who was captured and enslaved at the age of eight.
How a Fallout Shelter Ended up at the American History Museum
Half a century ago, fallout shelters were everywhere. One of these well-stocked little bunkers, meant to protect people from the fallout of an atomic bomb, is now part of history.
The Root: How Racism Tainted Women’s Suffrage
Read about Ida B. Wells’ fight to end the lynching of black people, a cause that stood in contrast to other suffrage leaders’ beliefs.
Anne Frank: 10 beautiful quotes from The Diary of a Young Girl
This article appeared in January on Holocaust Memorial Day 2015, whose theme was “keep the memory alive.” Every time someone reads Anne Frank’s diary, that is what happens. What is your favorite quote from Anne Frank’s diary?
11 Outlandish Ways Aristocrats Displayed Their Wealth During the Gilded Age
Imagine having a bathroom of gold or rerouting an entire train track and moving a town in order to avoid the sight of train smoke. These weren’t the actions of finicky royals, but instead a reality for tycoons and socialites during the Gilded Age. Read more about the outrageous ways people spent their money.
In 1870, Henrietta Wood Sued for Reparations—and Won
Henrietta Wood’s story of enslavement and kidnapping is not unique. However, her story is one-of-a-kind due to the fact that she won a civil suit against her kidnapper and was awarded reparations.
Benjamin Franklin: Founding Father … and Fireman
Firefighting may not exist as we know it without Benjamin Franklin. Watch the video to learn how we have some of our most famous founding fathers to thank for our fire safety standards.
Rare Aztec Map Reveals a Glimpse of Life in 1500s Mexico
Few maps detail the early interactions of the indigenous people of Mexico and early Spanish colonists as much as the Codex Quetzalecatzin. Made using traditional Aztec methods and showing Spanish influences, this map shows the effect of two cultures colliding.