What We Love This Week, Volume CXVII

Published April 10, 2015
Updated April 30, 2015

100 Years Of Awkward Presidential First Pitches

Most of remember President Taft for–well, something. But most of us aren’t aware of the fact that it was Taft who was responsible for bringing forth the admittedly awkward tradition of the presidential first pitch. Taft threw the ball from the comfort of his grandstand seat, and it was only when Ronald Reagan–a game changer for a number of reasons–decided to step out onto the field to strut his athleticism that this tradition would change. Following in Reagan’s footsteps for reasons we are unsure of, all subsequent presidential first pitches have taken place on the mound. The Roosevelts have compiled this history into a series of awkward and slightly painful photos, and we encourage you to explore them.

How One Woman Delivered 3,000 Babies During The Holocaust

Many women were brought into Auschwitz pregnant. Midwife Stanislawa LeszczyƄska, also imprisoned at Auschwitz, made it her goal to assure the health of the mother and her baby. Throughout her time in the concentration camp and in spite of its abysmal conditions, Stanislawa delivered 3,000 babies. Learn more about her story with us.

`

author
Savannah Cox
author
Savannah Cox holds a Master's in International Affairs from The New School as well as a PhD from the University of California, Berkeley, and now serves as an Assistant Professor at the University of Sheffield. Her work as a writer has also appeared on DNAinfo.
editor
Savannah Cox
editor
Savannah Cox holds a Master's in International Affairs from The New School as well as a PhD from the University of California, Berkeley, and now serves as an Assistant Professor at the University of Sheffield. Her work as a writer has also appeared on DNAinfo.