American History
The ASPCA’s Founder Was Known as “The Great Meddler”
Although Bergh's efforts to prevent animal cruelty weren't well-received by all, the ASPCA did change how animals were seen in the United States
Why Is the Pentagon a Pentagon?
Planners battled to ensure the building kept its unique shape
The Mystery of Roanoke Endures Yet Another Cruel Twist
An artifact found 20 years ago turns out to not be what archaeologists thought
This Swashbuckling Botanist Changed America’s Landscapes
Not always for the better
How Some Breweries Survived Prohibition
It mostly involved playing to their non-alcoholic strengths
The Secretary of the Interior Once Banned Rock Bands From the National Mall
James Watt, who was outed from office in the early 1980s, said the only songs he knew were 'The Star Spangled Banner' and 'Amazing Grace'
Once Upon a Time, Exploding Billiard Balls Were An Everyday Thing
It was a side effect of no longer making them from ivory
130 Years Ago, Men Against Women's Suffrage Put Susanna Salter’s Name on the Ballot
Boy, were they sorry.
Why It Matters Whether Students Learn About World War I in American History or World History Class
Some of the most important lessons of the Great War get lost between the two approaches
How World War I Influenced the Evolution of Modern Medicine
Medical technology and roles during World War I are highlighted in a new display at the National Museum of American History
Women On the Frontlines of WWI Came to Operate Telephones
The “Hello Girls” risked their lives to run military communications—and were denied recognition when they returned home
How Woodrow Wilson’s War Speech to Congress Changed Him – and the Nation
In 70 days in 1917, President Wilson converted from peace advocate to war president
Before Velcro’s Patent Expired, It Was a Niche Product Most People Hadn’t Heard Of
The hook-and-loop tape's moment in the sun came after others were free to copy it
How 148 Tornadoes in One Day in 1974 Changed Emergency Preparedness
The “super outbreak” flattened towns and killed and injured thousands, all with little warning and in the space of 24 hours
How Agent Orange Turned This American Small Town Into a Toxic Waste-Ridden Deathtrap
“Walking into the houses, many of them were like people had just simply stood up, walked out and never come back”
Gold Miners Kept Their Sourdough Starters Alive By Cuddling Them
San Francisco-area miners used sourdough starters as a replacement for commercial leavening agents
Happy Birthday to the Modern Pencil
The patent for this supremely convenient invention didn't last long
The Myth of Professional Beggars Spawned Today's Enduring Stereotypes
In England and the United States, the fear of beggars gave rise to a number of justifications for why they shouldn't be helped
Never Mind Her Stellar Jazz Career, Young Ella Fitzgerald Just Wanted to Dance
The preeminent vocalist didn't actually start out as a singer
There Are Two Versions of the Story of How the U.S. Purchased Alaska From Russia
The tale of "Seward's Folly" must also be seen through the eyes of Alaska's native populations
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