Should Citizenship Be For Sale?
Should you be able to buy your way to citizenship? Economic research reveals some merits behind the idea, but others see classism and discrimination.
Why Did U.S. Postmasters Once Have So Much Political Cachet?
American bureaucracy used to work through patronage, an informal system of job-distribution by the party in power. Why did it change?
When Americans Became Obsessed with Fresh Air
Once it became clear that mosquitoes, not the air itself, carried malaria, early 20th-century Americans went to extreme lengths to enjoy fresh air at night.
How Conflict Boosts the Economy
Historically speaking, we are living in unusually peaceful times. But does peacetime mean bad things for the economy, which is often boosted by war?
Suggested Readings: Deadly Lead, Natural Foods, and Handshake Diplomacy
Well-researched stories from around the web that bridge the gap between news and scholarship. Brought to you each Tuesday from the editors of JSTOR Daily.
Was Marsden Hartley Really a Great Painter?
Was American painter Marsden Hartley an innovator, or an imitator? Some call him a great artist, while others say he didn't know how to paint.
“Filibuster” Doesn’t Mean What You Think It Does
The term "filibuster" used to refer to Americans who went to foreign countries to fight in their wars without the government’s permission.
The Secrets of Viking Sword Making
New research scans three Viking swords and finds that, while well-made, they were not strong enough to withstand a fight.
Secret Communities: Why We Confess Online
How can it be helpful to disclose secrets online? A look at sites like PostSecret, where users anonymously confess to things they've never told anyone.
Margarita Engle, the Young People’s Poet Laureate
Cuban American Margarita Engle is the new Young People’s Poet Laureate. Engle has written many books for children, young adults and adults.