The FBI Goes to the Movies
In its hunt for communists in Hollywood, the FBI criticized the 1946 classic It's "A Wonderful Life" as subversive propaganda.
Wyoming’s War on Wolves
Gray wolves in Wyoming recently lost their protected status. What will become of a species burdened by myths about its "fierce and furious" nature?
The Ugly Origins of America’s Involvement in the Philippines
The American use of torture, then called the "water cure," in the Philippines during the war of 1899-1902 shocked some Americans of the day.
Can Fiction Really Spark Suicide?
The Netflix drama 13 Reasons Why is so powerful—and so controversial—it's sparked a national debate about teenage suicide.
When American Schools Banned German Classes
When American troops headed to Europe for WWI, hostility to all things German intensified across the country. Schools even banned German fairy tales.
Grief? There’s an App for That.
Would you want to be able to talk to a loved one after they'd passed away, knowing it wasn't really them? Would it help? Would it hurt?
Suggested Readings: Climate Uncertainty, the Point of Insurance, and Wolves in Denmark
Well-researched stories from around the web that bridge the gap between news and scholarship. Brought to you each Tuesday from the editors of JSTOR Daily.
The Literary Life of Jean Stein
Among her other literary accomplishments, Jean Stein edited Grand Street for 14 years. Here are two of her interviews for the magazine.
Why Retirement Age Is 65 (And Why It’s Getting Higher)
Is there something magical about age 65? The history behind the retirement age involves economics, aging, and Otto von Bismarck.
Mexican-Americans Have Always Battled Movie Stereotypes
Stereotyping and discrimination in Hollywood has elicited different responses from Mexican-Americans and Mexicans in Mexico.