The Many Lives of Libraries

These stories span centuries and continents, revealing how libraries have shaped culture, politics, and public life.
Still Life with Apples by Paul Cézanne

The Case for Aesthetic Education

Why Friedrich Schiller believed art belongs at the heart of education—and why it matters for equal opportunity today.
Children playing in the sand-pit at the Oasis swimming pool, London, 1956

The Rise and Fall of the Public Sandbox

A nineteenth-century experiment in children's play helped reshape American cities—and later fell out of favor.
Gilbert Bargayo washes his crucifixion wounds after being crucified on Good Friday in Tuburan, Cebu, Philippines.

The Meaning Behind Philippine Crucifixions

An anthropologist examines the sacred vows that inspire some Filipino Catholics to reenact Christ's Passion each Holy Week.
Image from the book Kim, by Rudyard Kipling, illustrated by J. L. Kipling, 1901

Rudyard Kipling’s Buddhism

Long read as an imperial novel, Kim also reflects Britain's changing ideas about Buddhist thought and spiritual practice.
An illustration of someone eating from a plate

The Hidden Rules of Fine Dining

Research shows restaurant critics reward technique, creativity, and authenticity differently, shaping which cuisines earn prestige and higher prices.
Young woman in hijab on a laptop on living room sofa

How Indonesia’s Feminists Use the Internet

Online platforms help Muslim scholars and activists share feminist interpretations of Islam, expanding access to new audiences.
Fidel Castro, Havana, 1978

Inventing “Machismo” in the US

Academics and media turned “machismo” into a cultural stereotype during the Cold War.
Collage of underground publications

LGBTQIA+ Pride Month

June is LGBTQ Pride Month, so JSTOR Daily gathered some of our favorite stories to celebrate. All with free and accessible scholarly research.
Smiling woman holding a sleeping baby in a blue sling in a cozy kitchen setting

Why Care Matters More Than Work

Reproductive justice offers a new way to think about human flourishing beyond the job market.