The Many Meanings of Marilyn Monroe
The life, times and image of Monroe has been expounded upon tirelessly in the decades after her tragic death at age 36.
The Strange History of Masons in America
Often the subject of conspiracy theories, Masons captured the allegiance of much of the early American elite.
When Jimmy Hoffa Vanished, He Took Union Strength With Him
The July 30, 1975, disappearance of labor leader Jimmy Hoffa sparked public fascination because he was an important cog in the nation's economy.
John Calvin: The Religious Reformer Who Influenced Capitalism
Both the blame and the credit for capitalism has often been placed at the feet of a 16th-century Christian theologian named John Calvin.
How P.T. Barnum Gave The Public What It Wanted
P.T. Barnum, born July 5, 1810, was "the first great advertising genius and the greatest publicity exploiter the world has ever known."
The Unexpected Impact of James Garfield’s Assassination
On July 2, 1881, less than a year after President James Garfield was elected the 20th president of the United States, he was shot by Charles Guiteau.
Does Political Violence Generate Real Change?
U.S. law prohibits American leaders from assassinating their counterparts in other nations. But targeted assassination has long been a part of history.
The Mystical Side of Marshall McLuhan
Communication theorists don't usually merit international celebrity, with one giant exception: Canadian professor and author Marshall McLuhan.
What Eisenhower’s Unsent Letter Reveals About True Leadership
Before the D-Day landing on June 6th, 1944, General Dwight D. Eisenhower, commander of the invasion force, wrote two letters for public consumption.
Brigham Young and the Defense of Mormon Polygamy
Mormon leader Brigham Young tried to create a culture of polygamy in the nineteenth century. How did he justify the practice in Victorian-era America?