american history

The Meaning Behind ‘Strange Fruit,’ Billie Holiday’s Tragic Ballad

First made famous by Holiday in 1939, "Strange Fruit" protested the mass lynchings of Black people across the American South.

By Kaleena Fraga • Nov 28, 2021

The Meaning Behind ‘Strange Fruit,’ Billie Holiday’s Tragic Ballad

First made famous by Holiday in 1939, "Strange Fruit" protested the mass lynchings of Black people across the American South.

By Kaleena Fraga • November 28, 2021

Why Zachary Taylor’s Death May Make Him The First President Ever Assassinated In American History

Ever since President Zachary Taylor died suddenly in 1850 after just 16 months in office, many have suspected foul play on the part of his political enemies.

By Kaleena Fraga • Nov 27, 2021

Why Zachary Taylor’s Death May Make Him The First President Ever Assassinated In American History

Ever since President Zachary Taylor died suddenly in 1850 after just 16 months in office, many have suspected foul play on the part of his political enemies.

By Kaleena Fraga • November 27, 2021

People Kept Dying Trying To Reach The ‘Into The Wild’ Bus — So Alaska Authorities Had To Remove It

At least two people died trying to reach the infamous Into The Wild bus on Alaska's Stampede Trail after hiker Chris McCandless died there in 1992.

By Natasha Ishak • Nov 27, 2021

People Kept Dying Trying To Reach The ‘Into The Wild’ Bus — So Alaska Authorities Had To Remove It

At least two people died trying to reach the infamous Into The Wild bus on Alaska's Stampede Trail after hiker Chris McCandless died there in 1992.

By Natasha Ishak • November 27, 2021

The Little-Known History Behind Martin Luther King Jr.’s ‘I Have A Dream’ Speech

When he took the podium to deliver the "I Have A Dream" speech in Washington, D.C. on August 28, 1963, Martin Luther King wasn't even going to utter that immortal line — then fate interceded.

By Savannah Cox • Nov 26, 2021

The Little-Known History Behind Martin Luther King Jr.’s ‘I Have A Dream’ Speech

When he took the podium to deliver the "I Have A Dream" speech in Washington, D.C. on August 28, 1963, Martin Luther King wasn't even going to utter that immortal line — then fate interceded.

By Savannah Cox • November 26, 2021

Stunning Native American Masks Of The Early 20th Century

Whether gorgeous or terrifying, these Native American masks reveal a group of cultures on the verge of disappearing forever.

By John Kuroski • Nov 25, 2021

Stunning Native American Masks Of The Early 20th Century

Whether gorgeous or terrifying, these Native American masks reveal a group of cultures on the verge of disappearing forever.

By John Kuroski • November 25, 2021

44 Striking Portraits Of Native American Culture In The Early 20th Century

Edward Curtis' portraits documented Native American culture in the early 1900s — as reservations and assimilation threatened to destroy it forever.

By Elisabeth Sherman • Nov 25, 2021

44 Striking Portraits Of Native American Culture In The Early 20th Century

Edward Curtis' portraits documented Native American culture in the early 1900s — as reservations and assimilation threatened to destroy it forever.

By Elisabeth Sherman • November 25, 2021

The Mysterious Disappearance Of Maura Murray, The Nursing Student Who Vanished Without A Trace

While studying nursing at UMass Amherst in February 2004, Maura Murray crashed her car in rural New Hampshire — then inexplicably disappeared forever.

By Katie Serena • Nov 24, 2021

The Mysterious Disappearance Of Maura Murray, The Nursing Student Who Vanished Without A Trace

While studying nursing at UMass Amherst in February 2004, Maura Murray crashed her car in rural New Hampshire — then inexplicably disappeared forever.

By Katie Serena • November 24, 2021

Robert Hansen: The Alaskan Serial Killer Who Hunted His Victims Like Animals

Authorities found a map in Robert Hansen's Anchorage home marked with tiny "X" symbols, showing where the so-called "Butcher Baker" killed and buried his victims in the wilderness.

By Katie Serena • Nov 24, 2021

Robert Hansen: The Alaskan Serial Killer Who Hunted His Victims Like Animals

Authorities found a map in Robert Hansen's Anchorage home marked with tiny "X" symbols, showing where the so-called "Butcher Baker" killed and buried his victims in the wilderness.

By Katie Serena • November 24, 2021

The Inspiring Story Of Joe Medicine Crow, The Plains War Chief Who Fought The Nazis During World War II

Born in 1913 on the Crow Reservation in Montana, Joseph Medicine Crow was raised in the warrior tradition of his people — which he put to good use while serving in France and Germany.

By Genevieve Carlton • Nov 23, 2021

The Inspiring Story Of Joe Medicine Crow, The Plains War Chief Who Fought The Nazis During World War II

Born in 1913 on the Crow Reservation in Montana, Joseph Medicine Crow was raised in the warrior tradition of his people — which he put to good use while serving in France and Germany.

By Genevieve Carlton • November 23, 2021

The Devastating History Of Diseases That The Pilgrims Brought To America

After the Pilgrims arrived in Massachusetts, the local Indigenous population fell from 30,000 to just 300 — within a decade.

By Marco Margaritoff • Nov 23, 2021

The Devastating History Of Diseases That The Pilgrims Brought To America

After the Pilgrims arrived in Massachusetts, the local Indigenous population fell from 30,000 to just 300 — within a decade.

By Marco Margaritoff • November 23, 2021