As Thanksgiving approaches, we can expect many newspaper articles and television programs detailing the story behind the holiday’s origins. The accurate ones will explain how the first Thanksgiving in 1621 bore little resemblance to the scenes represented in paintings—e.g., Pilgrims and Native … [Read more...]
Of Plague and Pilgrims: The Grim Story Behind the First Thanksgiving
Nativism Yesterday and Today – The Case of the Irish
People who rail against immigrants and minorities these days would do well to study up on their American history. Take for example the case of the Irish. Today the descendants of Irish immigrants constitute one of the most prosperous (second only to Jewish Americans) and powerful ethnic groups in … [Read more...]
The Original Demon Weed: The Great Anti-Cigarette Crusade
InThePastLane by Edward T. O’Donnell In recent years voters in many states have approved laws legalizing the recreational marijuana use (and that several other states approved medical marijuana use) has prompted much speculation that marijuana may some day enjoy the legal … [Read more...]
The Myth of the Great Blackout of 1965 Baby Boom
The Great Blackout of 1965 While the power outages in the NY-NJ region caused by hurricane Sandy made life difficult for millions, a far larger blackout in November 1965 plunged some 30 million Americans across eight states into darkness. In New York City 800,000 people were trapped during the … [Read more...]
What Have We Got to Hide? The Origins of Secret Balloting in America
This month, when Americans head to the polls to elect men and women to public offices, they will cast their ballots in secret, beyond the watchful eyes of their fellow citizens. Few Americans would have it any other way. We are accustomed to think of voting as a very private matter, akin to a visit … [Read more...]
- Prev Page...
- 1
- …
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- ...Next Page