american history

Fordlândia: Henry Ford’s Forgotten Rubber Empire Deep in the Heart of the Amazon

In 1928, Henry Ford broke ground on Fordlândia, a rubber-producing town in Brazil that he hoped would supply his car factories and serve as a model industrial society. Instead, it devolved into a dystopia.

By Morgan Dunn • Jun 24, 2020

Fordlândia: Henry Ford’s Forgotten Rubber Empire Deep in the Heart of the Amazon

In 1928, Henry Ford broke ground on Fordlândia, a rubber-producing town in Brazil that he hoped would supply his car factories and serve as a model industrial society. Instead, it devolved into a dystopia.

By Morgan Dunn • June 24, 2020

Who Wrote The Bill Of Rights? Inside The Messy History

James Madison is widely credited with writing the first 10 amendments to the Constitution that comprise the Bill of Rights, but he didn't act alone.

By Marco Margaritoff • Jun 18, 2020

Who Wrote The Bill Of Rights? Inside The Messy History

James Madison is widely credited with writing the first 10 amendments to the Constitution that comprise the Bill of Rights, but he didn't act alone.

By Marco Margaritoff • June 18, 2020

Meet The Confederados, The Confederate Loyalists Who Fled To Brazil After The Civil War

Rather than accept defeat, up to 20,000 die-hard Confederates moved to the slaveholding Empire of Brazil to establish colonies of Confederados. Their descendents still honor them today.

By Morgan Dunn • Jun 15, 2020

Meet The Confederados, The Confederate Loyalists Who Fled To Brazil After The Civil War

Rather than accept defeat, up to 20,000 die-hard Confederates moved to the slaveholding Empire of Brazil to establish colonies of Confederados. Their descendents still honor them today.

By Morgan Dunn • June 15, 2020

From Freedom Rider To Congressman: The Heroic Career Of Civil Rights Leader John Lewis

From organizing the March on Washington to working within it, Congressman John Lewis is a civil rights leader with a legendary story.

By Marco Margaritoff • Jun 13, 2020

From Freedom Rider To Congressman: The Heroic Career Of Civil Rights Leader John Lewis

From organizing the March on Washington to working within it, Congressman John Lewis is a civil rights leader with a legendary story.

By Marco Margaritoff • June 13, 2020

How Mary Ellen Pleasant Became A Self-Made Millionaire — Before Her White Partner’s Wife Took Her Fortune

Even though Mary Ellen Pleasant amassed $30 million thanks to her real estate empire, the white press vilified her as a mere brothel owner and insisted on calling her "Mammy."

By Natasha Ishak • Jun 10, 2020

How Mary Ellen Pleasant Became A Self-Made Millionaire — Before Her White Partner’s Wife Took Her Fortune

Even though Mary Ellen Pleasant amassed $30 million thanks to her real estate empire, the white press vilified her as a mere brothel owner and insisted on calling her "Mammy."

By Natasha Ishak • June 10, 2020

Yuri Kochiyama Survived An Internment Camp, Then Befriended Malcolm X And Fought For Civil Rights

From the 1960s until her death in 2014, Yuri Kochiyama fought for civil rights, reparations for Japanese Americans detained in concentration camps, and the anti-war movement, among other social justice causes.

By Natasha Ishak • Jun 9, 2020

Yuri Kochiyama Survived An Internment Camp, Then Befriended Malcolm X And Fought For Civil Rights

From the 1960s until her death in 2014, Yuri Kochiyama fought for civil rights, reparations for Japanese Americans detained in concentration camps, and the anti-war movement, among other social justice causes.

By Natasha Ishak • June 9, 2020

South Korea Sends 10,000 Masks To Navajo Nation In Honor Of Code Talkers Who Served In The Korean War

The shipment of protective supplies is on top of the 500,000 face masks the South Korean government already sent to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to distribute to non-Navajo veterans.

By Natasha Ishak • Jun 9, 2020

News

South Korea Sends 10,000 Masks To Navajo Nation In Honor Of Code Talkers Who Served In The Korean War

The shipment of protective supplies is on top of the 500,000 face masks the South Korean government already sent to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to distribute to non-Navajo veterans.

By Natasha Ishak • June 9, 2020

The Story Of The Pearl Incident, The Largest Attempted Slave Escape In American History

Even though 77 hopeful fugitives were caught just two days after trying to escape aboard The Pearl, their daring attempt would inspire abolitionists nationwide.

By Morgan Dunn • Jun 2, 2020

The Story Of The Pearl Incident, The Largest Attempted Slave Escape In American History

Even though 77 hopeful fugitives were caught just two days after trying to escape aboard The Pearl, their daring attempt would inspire abolitionists nationwide.

By Morgan Dunn • June 2, 2020

Meet Gaston Means, The Swindler Who Loved Ripping Off Bootleggers During Prohibition

Gaston Means used his connections to President Warren Harding to convince bootleggers that he could protect them from the law for a price — and pocketed up to $60,000 a day.

By Morgan Dunn • May 26, 2020

Meet Gaston Means, The Swindler Who Loved Ripping Off Bootleggers During Prohibition

Gaston Means used his connections to President Warren Harding to convince bootleggers that he could protect them from the law for a price — and pocketed up to $60,000 a day.

By Morgan Dunn • May 26, 2020

Inside The ‘Better Babies’ Contests That Judged American Infants Like Livestock

"Better Babies" contests scored children on a 1,000-point scale that was generated based on the racist principles of eugenics.

By Genevieve Carlton • May 22, 2020

Inside The ‘Better Babies’ Contests That Judged American Infants Like Livestock

"Better Babies" contests scored children on a 1,000-point scale that was generated based on the racist principles of eugenics.

By Genevieve Carlton • May 22, 2020