How Did Ex-Slave’s Letter to Master Come to Be?
Source: The Associated Press
Read this article to find out more about ex-slave Jordan Anderson and his famous letter to his former master.
History
Text of Ex-Slave’s Letter to His Former Master
Source: Yahoo News
Soon after the Civil War, Confederate Colonel Patrick Henry Anderson asked one of his ex-slaves, Jordan Anderson, to return to his Tennessee plantation to work. Read Jordan Anderson’s satirical response.
What Happened to the Two Other Men on Paul Revere’s Ride?
Source: How Stuff Works
Although their own “midnight” rides were as important as that of Paul Revere, the efforts of William Dawes, Samuel Prescott, and others have sometimes been forgotten. Read this exciting history of what happened that famous April night in 1775. You may not realize just how many people it took to spread the news that the British were coming.
The Day the Universe Changed
Source: BBC
With each new gadget, tech companies declare that everything has changed. Whether that’s true will remain to be seen, of course. Looking back, though, it’s far easier to see clearly what discoveries and inventions really did change everything. In this fascinating 10-part series, James Burke examines the advances that altered our world.
Sacrifice Amid the Ice: Facing Facts on the Scott Expedition
Source: Smithsonian Magazine
In 1910, two separate expeditions set out to be the first to reach the South Pole. Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen’s expedition was successful, and Robert Scott’s expedition from England tragically fell short of its goal. Read about the great risk these men undertook and the price they had to pay for taking such risks.
Tiananmen Square, Then and Now
Source: The Atlantic
In 1989, the Chinese government silenced a pro-democracy protest in Tiananmen Square. An unknown number of protesters, mostly college students, were killed by their government. To this day, the Chinese government censors the media to prevent its people from learning about this event. Explore this photo essay to learn more.
Walden Pond State Reservation
Source: Department of Conservation and Recreation
Embark on a virtual visit of Walden Pond, the famous site that inspired Henry David Thoreau’s Walden.
The Changing Definition of African-American
Source: Smithsonian Magazine
Many consider the label “African-American” to describe people who are descended from slaves that were brought to the United States against their will, forced into slavery, and eventually emancipated. Countless African immigrants do not identify with this narrative, though they find themselves associated with it. What does it mean to be African-American and for whom is it an accurate label?
Hernando de Soto
Source: Biography, A&E Television Networks
Learn about Hernando de Soto, a Spanish explorer credited with discovering the Mississippi River and a subject in Joy Harjo’s poem titled “New Orleans.”
Land of Odysseus
Source: History, A&E Television Networks
Odysseus longed to return home to Ithaca, but where exactly was ancient Ithaca? Some researchers think they have found the answer. Watch a video to learn about a place that just might be Odysseus’s home—modern-day Cephalonia Island in Greece.