The Shaker Formula for Gender Equality
Shaker communities seem to have appealed to a lot of women because they offered a respite where their work was honored and respected.
The Long, Winding History of the “Battle Hymn of the Republic”
Julia Ward Howe wrote her most famous poem, the legendary Civil War song, “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” in a single burst of inspiration 156 years ago.
How Thrift Stores Were Born
According to the Association of Retail Professionals, about 16 to 18 percent of Americans shop at thrift stores in any given year.
How Noah Webster Invented the Word Immigration
Noah Webster, author of An American Dictionary of the English Language published in 1828, invented the word "immigration."
Louisa May Alcott, Servant
She’s best known as the intrepid author of Little Women, but Louisa May Alcott was once a domestic servant.
The Great Sparrow War of the 1870s
The "sparrow war" in the United States in the 1870s ended with a resounding victory… for the sparrows.
The History of UFOs
UFOs are much older than the Cold War's flying saucers. These 1897 and 1909 sightings of flying machines were the talk of the town.
The Early American Origins of Political Terms
What does stump speech and pork barrel mean? A short lexicon of American political terms.