Culture

Advertisement for the Barnum & Bailey Circus in 1900

The Circus Spectacular That Spawned American Giantism

How the “Greatest Show on Earth” enthralled small-town crowds and inspired shopping malls
by Janet M. Davis via What It Means to Be American on March 17, 2017
Painting of Warren by John Singleton Copley.

The Woman Whose Words Inflamed the American Revolution

Mercy Otis Warren used her wit to agitate for independence.
by Erick Trickey via Smithsonian on June 20, 2017
The Miss Portland Diner in Portland, Maine
Partner

The Making of the American Diner

Today's diners would surprise a 1940s patron. These restaurants were once vulgar boy’s clubs before becoming today's family-friendly establishments.
by Erin Blakemore, Andrew Hurley via JSTOR Daily on June 17, 2017
From Wonder Woman,

The Surprising Origin Story of Wonder Woman

The history of the comic-book superhero's creation seven decades ago has been hidden away — until now.
by Jill Lepore via Smithsonian on October 1, 2014
Thicker lines indicate more content-sharing between 19th century newspapers.

Here's How Memes Went Viral - In the 1800s

The Infectious Texts project is the compilation of 41,829 issues of 132 newspapers from the Library of Congress.
by Greg Miller via Wired on November 4, 2013
The men's clothing industry was one of the driving forces behind Father's Day.

Buying Your Dad a Gift Is Why Father's Day Exists

Buying a necktie for your dad is a stereotypical way to celebrate Father's Day, but it's in keeping with the holiday's history.
by Erin Blakemore via Time on June 15, 2017
Air Drop Of Supplies In Operation Junction City

Vietnam '67

Historians, veterans and journalists recall 1967 in Vietnam, a year that changed the war and changed America.
by Various via New York Times on January 7, 2017
Graphs display the progression of colored sweaters Fred 'Mister' Rogers, the host of

Every Color Of Cardigan Mister Rogers Wore From 1979–2001

Fred Rogers dedicated his time to educating children while also displaying an impressive collection of sweaters.
by Owen Phillips via The Awl on May 18, 2017
Henry David Thoreau in 1956.

Thoreau: A Radical for All Seasons

The surprising persistence of Henry David Thoreau.
by Jedediah Purdy via The Nation on June 1, 2017
Plate of traditional Southern food.

The Hidden Radicalism of Southern Food

By starting a community farm and a pig co-op, Fannie Lou Hamer pointed the way toward food sovereignty.
by Fannie Lou Hamer via New York Times on May 6, 2017
Map of the 1858 Atlantic Cable route

The New World Order

The 1850s were a turning point for globalization, from telegraphs to colonization.
by Matthew Karp via Boston Review on September 2, 2016
The album cover of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles.

Sgt. Pepper Came Out 50 Years Ago This Week. The Timing Was As Perfect As the Album.

The Beatles released Sgt. Pepper at the exact moment that the world was ready to take a rock album seriously as art.
by Jack Hamilton via Slate on May 24, 2017