In this essay, Arthur Miller describes how he prepared to write his famous play by immersing himself in the world of the Salem witch trials.
Tag Archives: History
Special report: Truth, justice and reconciliation
How does a nation seek justice and peace after a terrible national conflict? Explore how seven countries have addressed their troubled histories.
Mexican-American War
In the mid-1800s, President James K. Polk and his administration sought to expand American territory to the West. This idea of “manifest destiny” was one of the instigating factors of the Mexican-American War.
Peaceful protest is much more effective than violence for toppling dictators
This article and accompanying presentation explore political scientist Erica Chenoweth’s research on how peaceful protest is often much more successful than violence for making changes.
The Fallen Heroes of Human Spaceflight
Since the 1960s, astronauts have risked their lives to explore space. Read about the missions in which men and women were lost.
The Influence of Machiavelli on Shakespeare
The Renaissance Italian writer Niccolò Machiavelli explored ideas about power in his still-controversial book The Prince. His work not only influenced political leaders, though; it also influenced the work of William Shakespeare a century later.
Stairwell A: The Only Way Out
After a terrorist-piloted plane crashed into the South Tower of the World Trade Center, only one path to safety remained unblocked. Read stories of the survivors who escaped through Stairwell A.
About the Brothers Grimm and Fairytales
Once upon a time, fairy tales weren’t for children. They weren’t even written down. Read this history to learn how much fairy tales—even the ones with which we’re most familiar—have changed over time. Be sure to follow the links to older versions of the tales, and find out for yourself!
Underground Railroad: Primary Source Documents
Explore letters and official documents related to the Underground Railroad from the front line in Maryland.
Hour of Horror Forever Alters American Lives
Winner of the 2002 Pulitzer Prize for Breaking News Reporting, this analysis published on September 12, 2001, discusses how the previous day’s attacks might change day-to-day life in America.
Beyond Brown: Pursuing the Promise
Once upon a time, a seven-year-old girl named Linda Brown walked six blocks to a bus stop and then rode a bus to school, although another school was only seven blocks from her home. Check out this site to learn what happened when she tried to change schools—and succeeded.
Oskar Schindler: Unlikely Hero
A Nazi industrialist may not fit the usual idea of a hero, but Oskar Schindler used his wealth, charm, and connections to save the lives of over 1000 Jews during World War II.
The Full Nelson
As many athletes and fans know, sports can unify people who don’t have much in common otherwise. This article explains how Nelson Mandela used rugby and other sports to help unify the people of South Africa after years of racial segregation.
How the California Gold Rush echoes in Silicon Valley
Writer Mike McPhate discusses the mindset of settlers willing to take risks during the California gold rush of the mid-19th century. He ties that idea to tech entrepreneurs’ willingness to fail in the same state today.
Tenements
In the last half of the 1800s, thousands of urban poor people, many who were immigrants, lived in overcrowded and unsafe tenement buildings. This article describes how tenements came into being and were eventually phased out.
The art of 9/11
Tom Sutcliffe, who writes about the arts and media, examines artists’ struggle to make works relating to 9/11.
How technology and capitalism shaped America after the civil war
A critic from The Economist magazine reviews The Republic for Which It Stands, in which author Richard White outlines the politics and economics of the United States following the Civil War.
This POW kept a secret diary that showed daily life in a concentration camp
Read this article to learn about the life of Anthony Acevedo, a former U.S. Army medic who kept a diary of his time in a Nazi concentration camp as a prisoner of war.
The Chilling True Story Behind the Pied Piper of Hamelin
Where do fairy tales and legends come from? At least one well-known tale is rooted in a real historic event.
Six Female Explorers Who Took Adventure Into Their Own Hands
Learn about six women who refused to let discriminatory social climates keep them from adventure-filled lives.