Born Without a Country
In Southeast Asia, colonial legacies and citizenship policies continue to leave hundreds of thousands without legal nationality.
What Happened to the Bones of the American Bison?
The near-extinction of the bison sparked an industry that left almost nothing of the animals behind.
Life Inside Icelandic Turf Houses
Grass roofs may look enchanting today, but living beneath them was another story.
What Was Sewer Socialism?
Milwaukee mayor Daniel Hoan believed the best argument for socialism was a city government that worked.
Celebrating the Fourth of July
Take a moment to contemplate the history and complexity of Independence Day, American Style.
The Crime That Wasn’t Called Sodomy
In the American Philippines, officials used vagrancy laws to police same-sex relations while avoiding explicit bans.
The Rise and Fall of Britain’s Muskrat Empire
A fur-farming experiment unleashed a prolific rodent—and sparked one of the rare successful eradications of an invasive species.
The Ghost Roads of Ireland’s Great Famine
Starving families were forced to earn aid by carving roads through rock, fields, and mountainsides.
The Atlas Behind the Revolution
While George Washington struggled to obtain reliable maps, British readers could consult this remarkable 1776 atlas.
When Did Presidents Start Traveling Abroad?
For more than a century, foreign trips have reflected America's changing role in the world—and presidents' political priorities.