Puritan Book Burning

What Links Religion and Authoritarianism?

The connections between religiousness and authoritarianism, studied for decades, depend upon the kind of religious belief.
Chicken Tikka and lamb samosas

Indian Food is Not a Monolith

When you eat Indian food, what are you really eating? Chicken tikka masala was originally created to appease the palates of the British during the Raj.
Mexican-American studies protest

How Arizona Banned Mexican-American Studies

An Arizona court is hearing a case that could roll back a 2010 ban on teaching Mexican-American studies in the state.
Plastic Pink Flamingos Flock together on Lawn

How the Plastic Pink Flamingo Became an Icon

The ubiquitous pink flamingo lawn ornament is 60 years old, a product of the age of suburbs and plastic. It has a surprising natural history.
Thompson's Temperance Spa

When the Temperance Movement Opened Saloons

Charles Sumner Eaton's “Temperance Spa” served alternative adult beverages like coffee, egg phosphates, and "Moxie Nerve Food," all in the name of health.
John Calvin

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.
Roswell NM mural

Roswell, Sacred Shrine of UFO Enthusiasts

Seventy years ago, something happened in Roswell, New Mexico, that put the place on the map and embedded it into the culture. What was it?
Running of the Bulls

Who Runs the Running of the Bulls?

In Spain, peñas (male recreation associations) control the safety of the annual Running of the Bulls and are responsible for much of the rowdy behavior.
Amelie Mauresmo

The Sexual Politics of Wimbledon

At Wimbledon, tennis is about more than tennis. The story of Amélie Mauresmo illustrates the complex sexual politics of women athelete’s bodies.
Betty Crocker cupcakes

In Search of the Real Betty Crocker

Betty Crocker, the woman who would become America’s most beloved baker, sprang to life in 1921 in an all-male advertising department.