Harvard quad

The Infamous Tale of the Murderous Chemistry Professor

The murder of Dr. George Parkman on the campus of Harvard College was one of the most famous crimes in nineteenth century America.
George Washington inauguration

Why the Presidential Inauguration is in January

The Presidential Inauguration is January 20th as a result of a twentieth century change to the U.S. Constitution. Originally, it was March 4th.
New York Journal 1898

To Fix Fake News, Look To Yellow Journalism

Fake news has plenty of precedents in the history of mass media, and particularly, in the history of American journalism.
A group assembling to welcome asylum seekers

The Ongoing Legal Plight of LGBTQ Refugees

Until governments recognize the right to freely express sexual and gender identity, safe haven for LGBTQ refugees is uncertain at best.
The American flag as sewn by Betsy Ross White

Happy Flag Day! (What is Flag Day?)

What is Flag Day, again? Early American flags were all over the place. There was no consensus about the flag until 25 years after the Revolution.
A collage of old black and white mugshots

The Right to Legal Counsel

Adequate legal counsel is not provided to many of the poor accused of crimes.
Louisiana Purchase

The Politics of the Louisiana Purchase

In a treaty signed in Paris on April 30, France swapped 828,000 square miles of North America to the U.S. for $15 million.
Man with wind up knob

Did You Hear the Joke about the Lawyer?

Why lawyer jokes typically involve the killing or maiming of lawyers.
Pen on a white background

Ballpoint Pen CSI

A short history of the ballpoint pen and early debates about its impact on handwriting.
Older black and white drawing of the presentation of the Magna Carta

Magna Carta at 800

The Magna Carta's 800th birthday is this year.