Modern (1800 CE to Present)

4 days ago11 min read

The Bixby Letter: Saving Private Ryan and the origin of the Lincoln letter

A controversial letter said to be written by Abraham Lincoln to a widow who had lost sons in the Civil War is central to Saving Private Ryan

James Wong Howe: Hollywood Cinematographer

Dana Rovang

Dec 118 min read

Cultural History

James Wong Howe: Hollywood Cinematographer

Of Chinese descent, James Wong Howe pioneered cinematic techniques and was nominated for 16 Academy Awards, winning twice for cinematography

Mary Anning: Early English paleontologist defied the odds

Dana Rovang

Nov 139 min read

Modern (1800 CE to Present)

Mary Anning: Early English paleontologist defied the odds

Mary Anning help to found the early science of paleontology, defying the odds and creating a remarkable legacy of firsts.

Putnam Lodge: Historic Hotel in Old Florida

Dana Rovang

Oct 166 min read

Cultural History

Putnam Lodge: Historic Hotel in Old Florida

The Putnam Lodge in Cross City, Florida has a long and historic past. A microhistory about a local treasure.

How the Allies Duped the Nazis for D-Day with Operation Fortitude

Dana Rovang

Oct 26 min read

Modern (1800 CE to Present)

How the Allies Duped the Nazis for D-Day with Operation Fortitude

Operation Fortitude was a multi-pronged Allied operation that successfully misdirected the Axis powers in WWII in the run-up to D-Day.

Dolores del Rio: Mexican Hollywood Pioneer and Philanthropist

Dana Rovang

Sep 187 min read

Central America

Dolores del Rio: Mexican Hollywood Pioneer and Philanthropist

The "female Valentino" successfully navigated Hollywood and the transition from the silent screen to modern movies.

Singing, Stars, and Quilts: The Secret Code Signals of the Underground Railroad

Dana Rovang

Sep 49 min read

Black History

Singing, Stars, and Quilts: The Secret Code Signals of the Underground Railroad

Those involved in the Underground Railroad had to use carefully coded signals to get enslaved people to freedom.

Mary Kay & Johnny: Early Sitcom Pioneers

Dana Rovang

Aug 2112 min read

Cultural History

Mary Kay & Johnny: Early Sitcom Pioneers

Mary Kay & Johnny broke all the social norms on TV and pioneered the domestic situation comedy.

Noncombatant Service: Conscientious Objectors’ Fight for Mental Health Reform during WWII

Dana Rovang

Jun 287 min read

History of Medicine

Noncombatant Service: Conscientious Objectors’ Fight for Mental Health Reform during WWII

During WWII, many Conscientious Objectors worked to reform mental health care institutions, with lasting results.

Key West: How Ernest Hemingway and Julius F. Stone, Jr. Shaped a Resort Town

Dana Rovang

Jun 56 min read

Cultural History

Key West: How Ernest Hemingway and Julius F. Stone, Jr. Shaped a Resort Town

Many know Key West as a resort town, but it wasn’t always this way.

Ancient Gems: A Historical Survey of African Beauty Techniques

Dana Rovang

Feb 136 min read

Africa

Ancient Gems: A Historical Survey of African Beauty Techniques

The history of many African beauty products.

Dana Rovang

Jan 306 min read

Cultural History

The Woman's Bible

Along with a group of women reviewers, Elizabeth Cady Stanton sought to reposition women in conversations about Christianity. By Jenna...

The Snowman: A brief history of a winter entertainment

Dana Rovang

Dec 20, 20228 min read

Antarctic

The Snowman: A brief history of a winter entertainment

A Brief History of Snowmen

James Tilly Matthews: Bedlam patient and catalyst for "Madhouse" reform

Dana Rovang

Oct 7, 20228 min read

History of Medicine

James Tilly Matthews: Bedlam patient and catalyst for "Madhouse" reform

The history of James Tilly Matthews and the reform of Bedlam Asylum.

The "weird" law against killing camels in Arizona

Dana Rovang

May 5, 20228 min read

Africa

The "weird" law against killing camels in Arizona

Dana Rovang It is a true fact that there was once a law in Arizona making killing a camel a crime. But, what if you didn’t know what a...

"Save the Day": The American Civil War origins of a superhero phrase

Dana Rovang

Apr 19, 20227 min read

Cultural History

"Save the Day": The American Civil War origins of a superhero phrase

Dana Rovang What would a superhero story be without someone swooping in at the last moment to “Save The Day?” Snatching victory from the...

Frances Perkins: Labor Secretary for FDR, and the brains behind the New Deal

Dana Rovang

Mar 22, 20227 min read

Modern (1800 CE to Present)

Frances Perkins: Labor Secretary for FDR, and the brains behind the New Deal

While we take for granted the 40-hour work week and generally safe working conditions, not many know about the woman who spearheaded the...

Maude Callen: Nurse-Midwife provided medical care to the poorest in her community

Dana Rovang

Feb 15, 20224 min read

Black History

Maude Callen: Nurse-Midwife provided medical care to the poorest in her community

In the mid-twentieth-century American South, Black women had limited access to medical services and maternal care. Many gave birth at...

Intrepid Arctic Explorer: Matthew A. Henson was the first Black man at the North Pole, Co-Discoverer

Dana Rovang

Jan 15, 20226 min read

Arctic

Intrepid Arctic Explorer: Matthew A. Henson was the first Black man at the North Pole, Co-Discoverer

Icon of Arctic Explorer, Matthew A. Henson, depicting a person in a winter parka.

Julia Chen

Nov 22, 20213 min read

History of Science

FRANCISCA ROJAS: GUILTY BY FINGERPRINT

First use of Forensic Fingerprinting in Buenos Aries, Argentina Fingerprinting was first used as a means of perpetrator identification in...

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