Singing, Stars, and Quilts: The Secret Code Signals of the Underground Railroad
Those involved in the Underground Railroad had to use carefully coded signals to get enslaved people to freedom.
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Dana Rovang
- Aug 21
- 12 min
Mary Kay & Johnny: Early Sitcom Pioneers
Mary Kay & Johnny broke all the social norms on TV and pioneered the domestic situation comedy.
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Dana Rovang
- Jun 5
- 6 min
Key West: How Ernest Hemingway and Julius F. Stone, Jr. Shaped a Resort Town
Many know Key West as a resort town, but it wasn’t always this way.
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Dana Rovang
- Feb 13
- 6 min
Ancient Gems: A Historical Survey of African Beauty Techniques
The history of many African beauty products.
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Dana Rovang
- Jan 30
- 6 min
The Woman's Bible
Along with a group of women reviewers, Elizabeth Cady Stanton sought to reposition women in conversations about Christianity. By Jenna...
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Dana Rovang
- Dec 20, 2022
- 8 min
The Snowman: A brief history of a winter entertainment
A Brief History of Snowmen
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Dana Rovang
- Oct 7, 2022
- 8 min
James Tilly Matthews: Bedlam patient and catalyst for "Madhouse" reform
The history of James Tilly Matthews and the reform of Bedlam Asylum.
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Dana Rovang
- May 5, 2022
- 8 min
The "weird" law against killing camels in Arizona
Dana Rovang It is a true fact that there was once a law in Arizona making killing a camel a crime. But, what if you didn’t know what a...
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Dana Rovang
- Apr 19, 2022
- 7 min
"Save the Day": The American Civil War origins of a superhero phrase
Dana Rovang What would a superhero story be without someone swooping in at the last moment to “Save The Day?” Snatching victory from the...
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Dana Rovang
- Mar 22, 2022
- 7 min
Frances Perkins: Labor Secretary for FDR, and the brains behind the New Deal
While we take for granted the 40-hour work week and generally safe working conditions, not many know about the woman who spearheaded the...
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Dana Rovang
- Feb 15, 2022
- 4 min
Maude Callen: Nurse-Midwife provided medical care to the poorest in her community
In the mid-twentieth-century American South, Black women had limited access to medical services and maternal care. Many gave birth at...
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Dana Rovang
- Jan 15, 2022
- 6 min
Intrepid Arctic Explorer: Matthew A. Henson was the first Black man at the North Pole, Co-Discoverer
Icon of Arctic Explorer, Matthew A. Henson, depicting a person in a winter parka.
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Julia Chen
- Nov 22, 2021
- 3 min
FRANCISCA ROJAS: GUILTY BY FINGERPRINT
First use of Forensic Fingerprinting in Buenos Aries, Argentina Fingerprinting was first used as a means of perpetrator identification in...
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Herbert Wignall
- Nov 22, 2021
- 3 min
Hiram Bingham IV: US Diplomat who Saved Thousands in WWII
Hiram “Harry” Bingham IV (1903-1988) saved thousands of Jews and other "enemies" of Germany during the early years of WWII by using...
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Dana Rovang
- Nov 22, 2021
- 2 min
George Méliès: Film Effects Pioneer and Conjuror
In the fall of 1896, early filmmaker and performance magician, Georges Méliès, was making a short movie on a Paris street. He developed a...
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Dana Rovang
- Nov 22, 2021
- 2 min
Wingfoot Express Airship Disaster, Chicago 1919
Almost two decades before the disaster of the LZ 189 Hindenburg Zeppelin (1937), Chicago witnessed the horrific destruction of the...
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Herbert Wignall
- Nov 22, 2021
- 3 min
Dr. Mary Edwards Walker, Medal of Honor Recipient
Dr. Mary Edwards Walker (1832-1919) was born on a farm in Oswego, New York in November 1832. She attended Syracuse Medical College,...
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Dana Rovang
- Nov 22, 2021
- 2 min
Kate Shelley and the Great Train Rescue of 1881
On 6 July 1881, a massive storm in Boone County, Iowa caused a flash flood. The flood washed out the support trestles for the train...
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Herbert Wignall
- Nov 22, 2021
- 2 min
Adolphus Greely and the Lady Franklin Expedition
In 1881, First Lieutenant Adolphus Greely was placed in command of the Lady Franklin Expedition aboard the ship Proteus. It was to...
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Julienne Landsdown
- Nov 19, 2021
- 2 min
SABA SABA
Saba Saba (Seven Seven in Swahili) refers to the date of July 7, and it is a meaningful date in many parts of Africa. In Tanzania, the...
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