How “Prerequisite Cases” Tried to Define Whiteness
A law of 1790 said that only "free white persons" were eligible to be naturalized. But courts struggled for years afterward to tell who was white at all.
How Gwich’in Hunters Protect Caribou Herds
An Arctic indigenous community has developed complicated but flexible "rules" for its own hunters to follow. Respect for animals is paramount.
The Long History of Comet Phobia
Even the invention of the telescope couldn't convince all people to put aside superstitions about comets.
Toni Morrison’s Operatic Life
Toni Morrison was renowned for the musicality of her prose, so writing lyrics for classical music wasn't a huge stretch.
Rural Rent Wars of the 1840s
Anti-rent rebellions in New York State helped to shatter the two-party political system in the nineteenth century.
Your Brain on Quarantine
Struggling to stay inside during quarantine? Feeling bored? Anxious? Researchers say you're not alone.
Florence Nightingale, Data Visualization Visionary
The woman who revolutionized nursing was also a mathematician who knew the power of a visible representation of information.
How Americans Were Taught to Understand Israel
Leon Uris's bestselling book Exodus portrayed the founding of the state of Israel in terms many Americans could relate to.
Police Versus the Chicano Moratorium March of 1970
Despite police violence against Chicano demonstrators in Los Angeles, the movement was not deterred.
Are Cyclists Reckless Lawbreakers?
Three researchers investigate whether bicyclists deserve their negative reputation.