american history

Robert E. Lee Day Celebrates A Confederate General — On Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Decades after he lost the Civil War, Confederate General Robert E. Lee got his own holiday in 1889. Some Southern states — especially Alabama and Mississippi — still honor it.

By Marco Margaritoff • Jan 19, 2020

Robert E. Lee Day Celebrates A Confederate General — On Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Decades after he lost the Civil War, Confederate General Robert E. Lee got his own holiday in 1889. Some Southern states — especially Alabama and Mississippi — still honor it.

By Marco Margaritoff • January 19, 2020

The True Story Behind The FBI’s Martin Luther King Tapes And The Disturbing ‘Suicide Letter’

In 1964, the FBI tried to blackmail Martin Luther King Jr. into ending his civil rights campaign with a letter that threatened to expose proof of his extramarital affairs — and apparently even encouraged him to kill himself.

By Marco Margaritoff • Jan 16, 2020

The True Story Behind The FBI’s Martin Luther King Tapes And The Disturbing ‘Suicide Letter’

In 1964, the FBI tried to blackmail Martin Luther King Jr. into ending his civil rights campaign with a letter that threatened to expose proof of his extramarital affairs — and apparently even encouraged him to kill himself.

By Marco Margaritoff • January 16, 2020

How French ‘Casket Girls’ Were Forced Into The New World To ‘Tame’ The Male Settlers

In the 1700s, there were too many men and not enough women in France's Louisiana territory. So King Louis XIV devised a "solution."

By Andrew Milne • Jan 14, 2020

How French ‘Casket Girls’ Were Forced Into The New World To ‘Tame’ The Male Settlers

In the 1700s, there were too many men and not enough women in France's Louisiana territory. So King Louis XIV devised a "solution."

By Andrew Milne • January 14, 2020

Franz Stigler, Charlie Brown, And A Friendship Born From The Horror Of War

When Luftwaffe pilot Franz Stigler had American bomber Charlie Brown's defenseless plane in his sights in 1943, he not only let him go but then escorted him out of danger. A half-century later, the two men became close friends.

By Joseph Williams • Jan 14, 2020

Franz Stigler, Charlie Brown, And A Friendship Born From The Horror Of War

When Luftwaffe pilot Franz Stigler had American bomber Charlie Brown's defenseless plane in his sights in 1943, he not only let him go but then escorted him out of danger. A half-century later, the two men became close friends.

By Joseph Williams • January 14, 2020

Elizabeth Jennings Graham Helped Desegregate New York City Streetcars 100 Years Before Rosa Parks

Elizabeth Jennings Graham was told to get off the trolley and wait for one with "her people" on it. She said she didn't have people and refused to get off.

By Marco Margaritoff • Jan 11, 2020

Elizabeth Jennings Graham Helped Desegregate New York City Streetcars 100 Years Before Rosa Parks

Elizabeth Jennings Graham was told to get off the trolley and wait for one with "her people" on it. She said she didn't have people and refused to get off.

By Marco Margaritoff • January 11, 2020

The Mysterious Death of Thelma Todd, Hollywood’s ‘Ice Cream Blonde’

Thelma Todd was one of early Hollywood's brightest stars — until she was found dead in 1935. Although her death was ruled a suicide, many believe she was actually murdered.

By Jaclyn Anglis • Jan 10, 2020

The Mysterious Death of Thelma Todd, Hollywood’s ‘Ice Cream Blonde’

Thelma Todd was one of early Hollywood's brightest stars — until she was found dead in 1935. Although her death was ruled a suicide, many believe she was actually murdered.

By Jaclyn Anglis • January 10, 2020

This Week In History News, Jan. 5 – 11

Additional warriors of China's ancient Terracotta Army found, mystery of intact 2,600-year-old human brain solved, century-old headless body from Idaho cave identified.

By All That's Interesting • Jan 10, 2020

News

This Week In History News, Jan. 5 – 11

Additional warriors of China's ancient Terracotta Army found, mystery of intact 2,600-year-old human brain solved, century-old headless body from Idaho cave identified.

By All That's Interesting • January 10, 2020

Meet Charity Adams Earley, The Highest-Ranking African American Female Officer Of World War II

"You don't know you're making history when it's happening," said Charity Adams Earley, the trailblazing Army battalion commander. "I just wanted to do my job."

By Joseph Williams • Jan 9, 2020

Meet Charity Adams Earley, The Highest-Ranking African American Female Officer Of World War II

"You don't know you're making history when it's happening," said Charity Adams Earley, the trailblazing Army battalion commander. "I just wanted to do my job."

By Joseph Williams • January 9, 2020

How Panoramic Maps Drawn By Artists In Hot Air Balloons Changed 19th-Century America

Before the rise of photography in America, artists drew stunning "balloon maps" of their cities, giving ordinary citizens a bird's-eye view of their communities that they'd never seen before.

By All That's Interesting • Jan 8, 2020

How Panoramic Maps Drawn By Artists In Hot Air Balloons Changed 19th-Century America

Before the rise of photography in America, artists drew stunning "balloon maps" of their cities, giving ordinary citizens a bird's-eye view of their communities that they'd never seen before.

By All That's Interesting • January 8, 2020

Inside The Salacious 19th-Century Murder Of New York Courtesan Helen Jewett, America’s First Tabloid Bombshell

When Helen Jewett was found dead from hatchet wounds to the head inside the brothel where she worked in 1836, the newspapers went wild with her story and helped create sensational journalism as we know it today.

By Natasha Ishak • Jan 7, 2020

Inside The Salacious 19th-Century Murder Of New York Courtesan Helen Jewett, America’s First Tabloid Bombshell

When Helen Jewett was found dead from hatchet wounds to the head inside the brothel where she worked in 1836, the newspapers went wild with her story and helped create sensational journalism as we know it today.

By Natasha Ishak • January 7, 2020