She’s All About That Bass
It’s not your imagination: a disproportionate number of women really do play bass guitar in rock bands.
Beware the Volcanoes of Alaska (and Elsewhere)
The 43 BCE eruption of Alaska’s Okmok volcano created the (cold) climate context for the fall of the Roman Republic and the birth of the Roman Empire.
Seeing the World Through Missionaries’ Eyes
One way Americans got a look into life in distant parts of the world in the 1930s and ’40s was through films made by Protestant missionary groups.
The Border Presidents and Civil Rights
Three US presidents from the South’s borders—Truman, Eisenhower, and Johnson—worked against Southern politicians to support civil and voting rights.
The Genius of Georgette Chen
Little known outside of Singapore and Malaysia, Georgette Chen was an iconic artist of the Nanyang Style.
Eurasianism: A Primer
Anti-Western and pro-expansionist, Eurasianists believed every country had a right to its own existence...as part of the Russian civilization.
Saffron: The Story of the World’s Most Expensive Spice
Appearing in the written record as early as 2300 BCE, saffron can be traced in foodways around the globe, despite the finicky nature of its harvest.
“Spaghettification”: How Black Holes Stretch Objects into Oblivion
Want to avoid getting “spaghettified” by a black hole? Steer clear of the smaller ones.
Missouri Compromise of 1820: Annotated
The “compromise” attempted to answer the question of whether the Missouri territory would be admitted to the Union as a “slave” or “free” state.
Does Adultery Justify Murder?
There’s a popular (mis)perception that, prior to the rise of modern legal systems, a husband was considered justified in killing a straying wife.