Pablo Neruda wrote poems about nature, but he his also famous for his poems about love, as well as many other subjects. Read this biography about the renowned poet’s career.
Tag Archives: History
Shackleton’s Voyage of Endurance
In 1914, Ernest Shackleton led an expedition to cross Antarctica. When his ship became trapped in the ice, a new adventure began. Read the astonishing tale of survival that brought his entire crew home safely two years later.
Movie Monsters, Monster Movies And Why ‘Godzilla’ Endures
There’s no question about the appeal of a good monster movie. But what is it about certain movie monsters that makes them such enduring stars? Listen to this story about Godzilla to learn more about one of cinema’s most legendary monsters.
Frederick Douglass
Frederick Douglass’s contributions to the fight for freedom are beyond measure. This article and video provide a brief overview of some of the ways in which Douglass helped shape the course of our nation’s history.
A long-hidden mural is revealed, along with a piece of UCLA history
In the 1960s, a group of students at UCLA painted a mural depicting famous African Americans and celebrating the civil rights movement. That mural was recently unveiled after being hidden for many years.
Explorer says he found Columbus’ ship, the Santa Maria
Underwater archaeologist, Barry Clifford, believes his team has found Christopher Columbus’ long lost ship, the Santa Maria. Read this article to find out why he now thinks the wreck he encountered over 10 years ago is Columbus’ ship.
The Lesson of the Power Loom
In this article, technology and innovation researcher James Bessen discusses how the inventions of the Industrial Revolution may influence the innovations of today.
‘Shadow Divers’: True Story of Solving WWII Mystery
The quest undertaken by John Chatterton and Richie Kohler to identify a sunken ship they came to believe was a German U-boat from WWII was a huge risk in many ways. Listen to Robert Kurson, author of the book Shadow Divers, talk about why the two men pushed themselves beyond their limits to solve this mystery.
500-year-old mystery: Wreck off Haiti may be Columbus’ flagship Santa Maria
A shipwreck found off the coast of Haiti may be the Santa Maria, one of the three ships Christopher Columbus used to sail across the Atlantic in 1492. Learn about how the importance of the Santa Maria, and why one explorer thinks the wreck is Columbus’s long-lost ship.
Dogs at War: Smoky, a Healing Presence for Wounded WWII Soldiers
Corporal Bill Wynne had a special bond with his dog, Smoky. That bond helped Wynne recover from a serious illness during WWII. Smoky and Wynne later spent years touring hospitals together, helping other ill or wounded soldiers heal.
150 Years Later, Newspaper Retracts Gettysburg Address Diss
President Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address is one of the most influential speeches in our nation’s history. It’s hard to believe, but when it was first delivered in 1863, one newspaper wrote that the speech was nothing more than “silly remarks.” Now, more than 150 years later, the paper has apologized for its dismissive words.
The peppered moth: A black and white story after all
England’s peppered moths provide a classic example of how a species adapts to changing environmental conditions. In this journal article, scientist Jim Mallet discusses not only changes in the moths themselves, but also changes in how their story has been interpreted.
Atlantis—True Story or Cautionary Tale?
The legend of the lost island city of Atlantis is thousands of years old. But is it true? This article explains some of the theories behind Atlantis, and what the story of the city may really mean.
‘Life is beautiful’
Alice Herz-Sommer was the oldest known Holocaust survivor until her death at the age of 110. She was also much more: a talented pianist, a friend of famous literary figures, a subject of biographies and documentary films, and an unrelenting optimist.
A Jazzed-Up Langston Hughes
Langston Hughes made his voice heard by writing poetry about the African American experience. One of those poems has become the core of a multimedia jazz performance, helping young people hear Hughes’s voice in a new way. Read about the performance, watch a video clip, and see pictures from a rehearsal.
“I Will be Heard!”: Abolitionism in America
Americans known as abolitionists played a crucial part in the fight to end slavery in the United States. This site offers a wealth of information about abolitionists and their cause as well as art and personal narratives from former slaves.
28 Years Ago, Challenger Shuttle Disaster Gave NASA Painful Lesson
In this opinion piece, Hugh Harris, former director of the NASA John F. Kennedy Space Center Public Affairs Office, shares his experiences and thoughts on the United States Space Program.
My Stepsister Anne Frank
Eva Schloss, Anne Frank’s stepsister, recounts her time at Auschwitz and the importance of learning from history.
Corrie ten Boom
During World War II, Corrie ten Boom and her family hid hundreds of Jews from the Nazis. After they were betrayed by a fellow Dutch citizen, the entire family was imprisoned. Corrie survived and later told her story in the book The Hiding Place. Read this article to find out more about this courageous woman.
Faces of America with Henry Louis Gates, Jr.
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. is an acclaimed author and scholar. In this PBS series, he explores the family histories of twelve prominent Americans to answer these questions: What made America? What makes us? Explore the site to discover more.