Modern Countries
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The Day Henry Clay Refused to Compromise
The Great Pacificator was adept at getting congressmen to reach agreements over slavery. But he was less accommodating when one of his own slaves sued him
December 06, 2012 |
By Gilbert King
Drinking Tea Was Once Considered an Irresponsible, Reckless Pursuit for Women
Poor Irish women who drank tea in the 19th century might as well have been chugging a bottle of whiskey
December 05, 2012 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Oldest Book Printed on American Soil To Go Up for Sale
A 372-year old book of psalms is set to go up for auction
December 05, 2012 |
By Colin Schultz
Blame Napoleon for Our Addiction to Sugar
Prior to 1850, sugar was a hot commodity that only society's most wealthy could afford
December 04, 2012 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Events December 4-6: May Yohe, DC Demographics and Kenyan Water
This week, a new book on an old diva, a panel on the capital's Latino populations and a documentary about waterways in Kenya
December 03, 2012 |
By Leah Binkovitz
Why Peanut Butter is the Perfect Home for Salmonella
A food safety expert explains the scientific reasons why salmonella outbreaks in peanut butter—like the one earlier this week—are so common
November 30, 2012 |
By K. Annabelle Smith
Lobsters Have Age-Revealing Rings, Just Like Trees
Scientists have figured out a way to determine the age of your lobster
November 30, 2012 |
By Colin Schultz
Maybe This Crazy New Sport Can Ease Your NHL-Lockout Blues
Crashed Ice, or "ice cross downhill," is a pretty crazy sport
November 30, 2012 |
By Colin Schultz
The Great Lakes Have More Garbage Per Square Inch Than the Great Pacific Garbage Patch
Huge concentrations of small plastic pellets were found in the Great Lakes
November 30, 2012 |
By Colin Schultz
1 Million Dollars Worth of Rare Dictionaries About to Go on Sale
On December 4, a collection of rare old dictionaries will go on auction at Bonhams in New York City
November 30, 2012 |
By Rachel Nuwer
NYC Record: No One Shot, Stabbed or Slashed on Monday
It was a "nice way to start the week," says NYPD
November 29, 2012 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Uglier Campaign Fundraising Emails Make More Money
All the rules you expect might apply to sending a perfect fundraising email? Throw them out the window
November 29, 2012 |
By Rose Eveleth
The U.S. Is About To Drop $10 Billion Retrofitting Its Nukes
The military wants to upgrade its 1960s-era nuclear workhorse
November 29, 2012 |
By Colin Schultz
Danilo Pérez, Creator of Musical Guardians of Peace
The Panamanian performer catches up with Joann Stevens before his Nov. 30 concert at the Kennedy Center
November 28, 2012 |
By Joann Stevens
A Mysterious Disease Is Killing Hawaii’s Coral
Conservationists and divers alike are on edge over a mysterious disease sweeping through coral reefs in Kauai
November 28, 2012 |
By Rachel Nuwer
The First Use of OMG Was in a 1917 Letter to Winston Churchill
This jewel of a letter reveals the first usage of the now-ubiquitous OMG
November 27, 2012 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Madame Restell: The Abortionist of Fifth Avenue
Without benefit of medical training, Madame Restell spent 40 years as a "female physician"
November 27, 2012 |
By Karen Abbott
Reclaiming the Edge: Exhibit Compares Waterfront Development Around the World
From Shanghai to Los Angeles to D.C., the Anacostia Community Museum's looks at recent efforts to reclaim urban rivers
November 27, 2012 |
By Leah Binkovitz
Gas Tanker to Cross Autumn Arctic Ocean Carrying Natural Gas to Japan
A tanker, carrying natural gas to Japan, has set out on a dangerous autumn trip through the Northeast Passage
November 26, 2012 |
By Colin Schultz
Let Astronaut Sunita Williams Take You on a Guided Tour of the ISS
Take this 25 minute-long guided tour of the ISS
November 26, 2012 |
By Colin Schultz
