Elizabeth Cady Stanton in her later years



Celebrating Feminist Pioneer Elizabeth Cady Stanton

We highlight two of Elizabeth Cady Stanton's essays on the bicentennial of her birth.
Cuisine des sorcières

What Caused the Salem Witch Trials?

Looking into the underlying causes of the Salem Witch Trials in the 17th century.
Original caption: 12/31/1916-Dorothy Day (1897-1980), American journalist and reformer, born in Brooklyn, NY. (Copyright Bettmann/Corbis / AP Images)

Dorothy Day and the Activism of the Catholic Church

We look back at the work of social activist Dorothy Day, who's staunch defense of labor unions fell in-line with the activism of the Catholic Church.
"Hazelton coal miners". Licensed under Public Domain via <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hazelton_coal_miners.jpg#/media/File:Hazelton_coal_miners.jpg" target="_blank">Commons</a>

The Rise and Fall of Coal Miners’ Unions

The origin of coal miners’ unions during the late nineteenth century.
circa 1955:  American humorist and author John Henry Faulk (1913 - 1990), narrates the history of early America in a still from the television program,'They Call It Folk Music.'  (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Hearing Harriet Smith

In the University of Texas library, our writer found a previously unknown audiotape of an interview with a woman who'd been born into slavery.
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Adultery and Secret Lives Way Before Ashley Madison

Long before Ashley Madison, married people found ways to cheat.
Close-up of a dial pack of birth control pills

Birth Control’s Slow Path to the Mainstream

A look at changing public opinion of birth control.
"Lincoln debating Douglas" by Cool10191. Licensed under Public Domain via <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lincoln_debating_douglas.jpg#/media/File:Lincoln_debating_douglas.jpg" target="_blank">Wikimedia Commons</a>

Unlocking Your Ancestor’s Political Leanings

Ethnicity and job occupation are but a few factors in tracing the political leanings of your ancestors.