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.
72
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.
75
Dana Rovang
- Feb 13
- 6 min
Ancient Gems: A Historical Survey of African Beauty Techniques
The history of many African beauty products.
340
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...
261
Dana Rovang
- Dec 20, 2022
- 8 min
The Snowman: A brief history of a winter entertainment
A Brief History of Snowmen
367
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.
340
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...
1,347
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...
345
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...
426
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...
485
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.
334
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...
7,400
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...
51
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...
156
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...
85
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,...
26
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...
433
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...
35
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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