Every four years (with an exception at the turn of most centuries), a quirk of the calendar gives us an extra day. Learn why 2016 is one of those years.
Tag Archives: History
Alexander Gardner: The mysteries of the Civil War’s photographic giant
Chances are, if you’ve seen a Civil War-era photograph, it was credited to photographer Mathew Brady. However, that photo was most likely actually taken by Alexander Gardner, who went on to document the American West.
Josephine Baker—A French and American Hero
Rising from poverty in St. Louis to become an entertainment superstar in her adopted home of Paris, Josephine Baker could easily have enjoyed a life of leisurely wealth. Instead, she aided the French Resistance during the Nazi occupation of World War II and later spoke out for American civil rights.
Pol Pot’s Shadow
In the 1970s, the Khmer Rouge, led by the dictator Pol Pot, took over the southeast Asian nation of Cambodia. The regime uprooted and destroyed countless lives, killing nearly two million of its own people. Cambodians today have yet to come to terms with the horrors of that time.
Why Are Shirt Buttons on Different Sides for Men and Women?
Read about some interesting theories related to fashion for men and women. Did nobility dictate the differences in fashion?
How the Civil War Changed Modern Medicine
In 1861 scientists hadn’t actually discovered that germs cause diseases, and doctors didn’t know they should wash their hands! But over the course of the Civil War, this changed and there were many advancements in medical care.
Dred Scott decision
Read about the 1857 Supreme Court case of Dred Scott v. Sandford and why people cite it today.
Conflict resolution: Wars without end
Learn how researchers are using data and systems analysis to attempt to resolve intractable conflicts.
Baseball in America, Part II: Gilded Bats and Balls
In this article, sports writer Carl D. Carlucci analyzes how baseball reflected the wealth of a few and the poverty of many during the Gilded Age.
Vietnam War Protests
Read about how the movement to protest the Vietnam War grew throughout the 1960s.
A Deep-Rooted History of Activism Stirs in College Football
Threatening to boycott games has been a historic method for athletes to attempt to influence change. Listen to this radio piece to learn more.
The British View the War of 1812 Quite Differently Than Americans Do
Historian and author Amanda Foreman analyzes the British perspective of the War of 1812.
Immigration Fears Not New in US History: Photos
This slideshow presents a timeline of Americans’ reservations about immigrants.
What Explains the Rise of Humans?
Other animals have intelligence, cooperation, and the use of tools, but only humans have imagination. This key trait allows us to treat abstract things like money, religion, and nations as though they are concrete, leading to our domination of the planet.
Selma 50 years later: John Lewis’s memories of the march
A United States Congressman recalls his role in pivotal civil rights events of the 1960s.
Odyssey’s End?: The Search for Ancient Ithaca
Although a Greek island called Ithaca exists today, it doesn’t fit Homer’s description of Odysseus’s home. A British amateur may have solved the mystery of where this epic locale lies.
Report on Desegregation in the Schools of Alabama, September 9, 1963
In 1963, President John F. Kennedy announced the government’s intention to force Governor George Wallace to comply with the school desegregation order. Read this powerful speech about a decision that mattered to so many Americans.
My Attempt to Free Anne Frank’s Diary
2015 marked the 70th anniversary of Anne Frank’s death. Anne’s legacy—her diary—should be available in the public domain on January 1, 2016 under Dutch law. But Dutch genealogist Yvette Hoitink explains a twist in the tale.
Battle Lines: A Graphic History of the Civil War
Award-winning historian Ari Kelman and the acclaimed graphic novelist Jonathan Fetter-Vorm produced this graphic novel about the civil war. Scroll down the page to access and read the book online.
The Decades That Invented the Future, Part 1: 1900-1910
The turn of the century from the 1800s to the 1900s was a time of great innovation and growth. Read about some of the influential inventions of the twentieth century’s first decade.