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Secondhand Sons: The life and times of the Remittance Men
The Remittance Men were often the younger sons of wealthy British families, who were sent to Canada to make their way in the world.
Nate Barker
5 days ago7 min read
13

Operation Mincemeat: How the Allies Fooled the Nazis about the Mediterranean Invasion
During WWII, Operation Mincemeat fooled the Nazis and paved the way for the Allied Mediterranean Invasion.
Dana Rovang
Jan 228 min read
113


The Akwaete & The British: The British abruptly left this Nigerian region in 1902. Why?
In 1891, the British made contact with the Akwaete people, only to mysteriously leave the area in 1902. Why?
Dana Rovang
Jan 88 min read
38

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
Dana Rovang
Dec 18, 202411 min read
225

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
Dana Rovang
Dec 11, 20248 min read
57

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.
Dana Rovang
Nov 13, 20249 min read
127

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.
Dana Rovang
Oct 16, 20246 min read
262

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.
Dana Rovang
Oct 2, 20246 min read
236

Dolores del Rio: Mexican Hollywood Pioneer and Philanthropist
The "female Valentino" successfully navigated Hollywood and the transition from the silent screen to modern movies.
Dana Rovang
Sep 18, 20247 min read
338

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.
Dana Rovang
Sep 4, 20249 min read
1,419


Mary Kay & Johnny: Early Sitcom Pioneers
Mary Kay & Johnny broke all the social norms on TV and pioneered the domestic situation comedy.
Dana Rovang
Aug 21, 202412 min read
139


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.
Dana Rovang
Jun 5, 20246 min read
199


Ancient Gems: A Historical Survey of African Beauty Techniques
The history of many African beauty products.
Dana Rovang
Feb 13, 20246 min read
1,201


The Woman's Bible
Along with a group of women reviewers, Elizabeth Cady Stanton sought to reposition women in conversations about Christianity. By Jenna...
Dana Rovang
Jan 30, 20246 min read
593


The Snowman: A brief history of a winter entertainment
A Brief History of Snowmen
Dana Rovang
Dec 20, 20228 min read
759


James Tilly Matthews: Bedlam patient and catalyst for "Madhouse" reform
The history of James Tilly Matthews and the reform of Bedlam Asylum.
Dana Rovang
Oct 7, 20228 min read
478

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...
Dana Rovang
May 5, 20228 min read
1,558

"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...
Dana Rovang
Apr 19, 20227 min read
388


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...
Dana Rovang
Mar 22, 20227 min read
473


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...
Dana Rovang
Feb 15, 20224 min read
589
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