Does It Matter Who the Real Rosie the Riveter Was?
Many women have claimed to be the model behind the iconic poster.
How Einstein Became a Celebrity
His theory of general relativity was well known in the U.S., but his 1921 visit caused a sensation.
How American Women First Learned Self-Defense
Jiu-jitsu, judo, boxing, and wrestling raised eyebrows. But physical strength and political empowerment went hand in hand.
Girls and Dolls in the Roman Empire
Analyzing the dolls of elite girls shows that playthings reinforced gendered expectations but also allowed for imaginative play.
Why Do Boy Scouts Shoot Rifles?
It wasn't a big focus at the beginning of the scouting movement. So what changed?
Why Suicide Was a Sin in Medieval Europe
Although there were historical and scriptural precedents for honorable suicide, Christian theology saw it much differently.
Erasing Women from Science? There’s a Name for That
Countless women scientists have have been shunted to the footnotes, with credit for their work going to male colleagues. This is called the Matilda Effect.
How Mary Fields Became “Stagecoach Mary”
Born enslaved, she made her way to Montana and eventually became the first Black woman to deliver mail on a "star route."
The Princes of Saxony Collected These Kitschy Miniature Mountains
Struck with “Berggeschrey,” or “mountain clamour,” early modern nobles of Saxony dolled up the dirty and dangerous work of the mines with gold and glitter.
Backlash Then, Backlash Now
“No feminist ever said the women’s movement was about women ‘having it all,’” Susan Faludi said. “In the 80s, it was falsely held up as a feminist promise broken.”