Discover the Articles of Confederation, America’s first governing framework. Learn about their origins, strengths, weaknesses, and how their limitations paved the way for the U.S. Constitution, shaping the foundation of modern American governance.
Explore the fascinating world of atoms with this high school physical science tutorial. Discover their history, structure, and role in the universe. Perfect for students seeking clarity and inspiration in understanding the building blocks of matter!
Learn the essential units of measure used in high school physics! This tutorial covers the International System of Units (SI), its history, base and derived units, English system comparisons, and conversion tips—perfect for mastering scientific measurements and improving problem-solving skills.
The ancient Greek philosopher Plato’s Allegory of the Cave is one of the most read pieces of Western writing in history. The story of the prisoners trapped in a cave and their escape to the sunlight (knowledge) is from Plato’s masterwork, "The Republic."
Discover the fundamentals of matter in this high school physical science tutorial. Explore essential topics including elements, their symbols, substances, compounds, mixtures, colloids, suspensions, and solutions, providing a solid foundation for understanding material classification.
Plato has been hailed as one of the most dazzling writers in the Western literary tradition and one of the most influential authors in the history of philosophy. In ancient Athens, Plato established the Academy, the first school of higher education in the Western world.
Discover how Johannes Gutenberg revolutionized communication with the invention of the printing press, leading to the birth of modern printing. Explore his pioneering work, the impact of the Gutenberg Bible, and the transformative effects on society and knowledge dissemination.
Explore the fascinating life and times of Socrates, the ancient Greek philosopher whose ideas shaped Western thought. This article delves into his biography, teachings, trial, and enduring legacy, offering insights into one of history's most influential figures.
Explore the timeless wisdom of Socrates through three of his most famous quotes. This article delves into the meaning and relevance of each quote, offering references as well as insightful explanations that highlight the enduring impact of Socratic philosophy on modern times.
Johannes Kepler was a 17th century German astronomer, mathematician, and astrologer best known for his three laws of planetary motion. His work laid the foundation for Isaac Newton’s theory of universal gravitation. Kepler was one of the key figures in the 17th century’s scientific revolution.
The three laws of planetary motion discovered by the German astronomer and mathematician Johannes Kepler in the early 17th century allowed for the first time the calculation of the accurate orbits of planets about the Sun.
In 1895, the German physicist Wilhelm Röntgen discovered x-rays. While experimenting with a Crookes tube, Röntgen noticed a screen several feet away fluorescing. This led him to the discovery. News spread rapidly of this new revelation, which led to many advancements in science and medicine.
The French physicist Henri Becquerel discovered the phenomenon of radioactivity while investigating the newly discovered x-rays. Becquerel’s serendipitous discovery of radioactivity opened the door for the nuclear age, with all its wonders and dangers.
Dive into the captivating life and achievements of General John “Black Jack” Pershing before World War I. Discover his service as a soldier in the Spanish-American War and the Philippines, and his hunt into Mexico for Pancho Villa.
America was caught off guard by the Soviet launch of the Sputnik satellite and the first manned space flight of Yuri Gagarin. The United States responded with NASA’s Project Mercury, launching Alan Shepard atop a Redstone rocket on a suborbital flight in 1961.
The 1773 Boston Tea Party was a major turning point in the deterioration of relationships between the 13 British colonies in America, the Parliament, and King George III of Great Britain. See how this event helped change the course of American history.
Discover the enthralling tale of Clyde Tombaugh’s hunt for Pluto, alongside insights into Neptune’s discovery and Pluto’s reclassification as a dwarf planet.
The oldest masonry fort on the continental United States is the Castillo de San Marcos. The old fort has a rich history dating back to 1672 when construction began under Spanish control.
This article is about my visit to the beautiful Lighthouse & Maritime Museum in St. Augustine, Florida, including some of the history of the current and previous lighthouse. The lighthouse went into operation in 1874 and has operated nearly continually since then.
The writing of the United States Constitution took place in Philadelphia during the summer of 1787. In this detailed timeline, uncover the key moments, important debates, and milestones that shaped America’s founding document.
To bring revenue into the state treasuries during the 1930s and 1940s, the State of Oklahoma issued a variety of tokens to pay the sales tax on items costing less than $1. The tokens were produced in one and five mill denominations and were made from aluminum, brass, fiber, and pasteboard.
To bring revenue into the state treasuries during the 1930s, several states started issuing sales tax tokens to cover the tax due on small purchases. The State of Missouri was no exception, issuing a variety of tokens to pay the sales tax on inexpensive items purchased at stores.
Explore the history and value of the United States Flying Eagle cent minted from 1856 to 1858 in this collector's guide. Uncover the coin’s design intricacies, minting variations, and expert tips for assessing condition and rarity, essential for any coin collector.
Jesus observed a poor widow woman giving two small coins to the treasury at the temple in Jerusalem and told his disciples that her contribution was the greatest due to her poverty.
Jesus is taunted by the leaders of the Pharisees about taxes. He silences his persecutors when he holds a coin in his hand. What coin did he have in his hand?
In the fifth century BC, the Greek philosopher Empedocles originated the theory of the four classical elements: air, earth, fire, and water. With modifications from Plato and Aristotle, the four elements of Empedocles became the standard model of matter studied until the 17th century.
A group of three ancient Greek philosophers, Leucippus, Democritus, and Epicurus, formed the core of the school of thought known as the Atomists. They believed that the substances making up the physical world were small, indivisible units they called “atoms.”
One way to own precious silver is through old U.S. coins. This article shows you how to identify silver coins, what their silver content is, and how much they are worth. As we'll see, silver coins are an easy way to start investing in silver bullion.
The United States issued its first commemorative coin at the 1893 Columbian Exposition in Chicago to celebrate Christopher Columbus’s discovery of the New World. At the event, the U.S. Mint introduced the Columbian Exposition commemorative half dollar coin and sold them for $1 to visitors.
Discover the mathematical contributions of Pythagoras, the ancient Greek philosopher and mystic. Pythagoras’s famous theorem revolutionized geometry, stating that the square of the hypotenuse of a right triangle is equal to the sum of the squares of the other two sides.
During the sixth century B.C., a man named Pythagoras started a cult with hundreds of followers who were sworn to secrecy, lived an ascetic lifestyle, and studied mathematics, music, and astronomy. He has become one of the most mysterious and influential figures in Greek intellectual history.
The ancient Greek philosopher Pythagoras believed that the soul was immortal and was reincarnated into another living being at death. This idea had its origin possibly in Egypt, and with the spread of the Pythagorean teachings his idea of reincarnation became part of Western culture.
Herod the Great was a Roman-appointed king of ancient Judea. He was a great builder of public works, including many fortresses, aqueducts, theaters, ports, and other public buildings. He is mentioned in the New Testament of the Bible as a tyrant who reigned during the birth of Jesus of Nazareth.
King Herod the Great built a complex that doubled as a palace and a fortress on the remote mountaintop known as Masada in the Judean Desert near the Dead Sea. There he built two luxurious palaces, a massive walled fortress complete with storehouses, a Roman bathhouse, and more.
Mary Magdalene was a follower of Jesus Christ who witnessed many of the miracles he performed and was at his death and resurrection. As one of the prominent women followers of Jesus, she helped with domestic duties and provided money to fund the ministry.
Flavius Josephus was a Jewish priest, scholar, military commander, and historian who wrote valuable historical accounts of the Jewish revolt of 66-70 A.D. and other earlier events in Jewish history. Much of what we know about the history of the Jewish people we owe to Josephus.
When King Ahab of Israel married the Phoenician princess Jezebel, the struggle began between the followers of the Lord (Yahweh) and the prophets of the pagan gods Baal and Asherah. Queen Jezebel’s ruthless and violent acts were opposed by the prophet Elijah, as recorded in the Bible.
During the Christmas season, the story of the birth of Jesus takes center stage. One of the more intriguing aspects of the story is the star the magi follow to find the young Jesus. A question that goes back to antiquity is, what was the star? There are many possible answers.
The Old Testament of the Bible has references to astronomical objects: the sun, moon, stars, Orion, Pleiades, and others. The planets are mentioned indirectly, only in association with their pagan deities. The ancient Hebrews were awed by the beauty of the heavens.
Caroline Herschel was a pioneering figure in the science of astronomy of the 18th and 19th centuries, as well as the first woman to be paid for her work in astronomy.
The ancient Greek Anaxagoras of Clazomenae was an important Presocratic natural philosopher. He was the first to give a correct explanation of eclipses, claimed the sun was a red-hot ball of metal, and the moon was earthy. For his impious teachings he was sentenced to death.
William Herschel was a German-born astronomer who discovered the planet Uranus in 1781 while working as a musician in Bath, England. The discovery of the new planet was the first such discovery since ancient times. He became the personal astronomer to Britain’s King George III.
For 50 years, the 40-foot telescope at Slough, England, constructed by astronomer William Herschel, was the largest in the world. The massive telescope took four years to build, from 1785 to 1789. William Herschel, using the 40-foot telescope, discovered two moons of the planet Saturn.
William Herschel was an English astronomer who rose to fame with his discovery of the planet Uranus in 1781. While developing filters for his telescope to study the sun, he discovered infrared radiation, which has many modern applications in science, industry, and medicine.
There are four laws of thermodynamics that explain the flow and transformation of heat, energy, and work in thermal systems. Thermodynamics is key to understanding: steam or gas turbines, refrigeration compressors, internal combustion engines, turbojets, and rockets.
The German physicist Max Planck was the first to assume the quantization of energy to model the radiation emitted from a black body radiator. Other physicists, such as Albert Einstein and Niels Bohr, used Planck’s idea to advance the study of atomic systems in what would become quantum mechanics.
J. Robert Oppenheimer was an academic physicist who was appointed head of the secret weapons laboratory at Los Alamos, New Mexico, which was part of the army’s Manhattan Project. He was the leader of the design, development, and construction of the first atomic bomb during World War II.
In 1814, the British invaded the city of Washington, D.C., as part of the War of 1812. Before the British could destroy the White House, the First Lady, Dolley Madison, with the help of her servants, saved the portrait of George Washington just hours before the British burned the president’s home.
The year 1992 was a terrible year for Queen Elizabeth II, or as she called it her “annus horribilis.” The year brought marital discord for her children, Prince Andrew, Prince Charles, and Anne, Princess Royal. To top it off, Windsor Castle suffered a massive fire.
Shays’ Rebellion was an uprising of farmers and Revolutionary War veterans over high taxes centered in Massachusetts from 1786 to 1787. One of the prominent leaders of the rebellion was the former Continental Army Captain Daniel Shays.
The appearance of the “new star” in November 1572, observed and reported upon by the famed astronomer Tycho Brahe, led to the revision of the ancient models of the heavens. The appearance of the new star challenged the Aristotelian dogma that the realm of the stars was unchanging.
If you are a collector of United States large cent coins, you will have a gap in your coin album where an 1815 belongs. Just like in modern times, the story of the missing 1815 cent is a story of supply chain disruption caused by a war.
From the 15th through the 18th centuries, scientific thought underwent a revolution. The Aristotelian view of nature that had dominated science for almost 2,000 years was cast out. The Scientific Revolution brought forth a more rigorous method of scientific investigation.
The Mercury dime was minted from 1916 to 1945 and is a favorite among coin collectors. The purpose of this article is to give the coin collector, whether a novice or an expert, a basic understanding of the Mercury dime series, including the history of the series, major rarities, and pricing.
John Bartram was one of America’s earliest botanists and naturalists. His botanical garden, which is still enjoyed today, was established on his farm on the Schuylkill River near colonial Philadelphia. To gather rare plants and seeds for his garden, he traveled as far south as Florida.
The second king of ancient Rome, Numa Pompilius, was known as a peaceful king who established many of the early Roman religious rites, ceremonies, and priesthoods. Numa is also credited with improving the Roman calendar and establishing office of pontifex maximus, the precursor to the pope.
Servius Tullius was the sixth king of ancient Rome, reigning from 578 to 535 BC. Tullius accomplished many things that benefited all Romans, especially the lower classes. He instituted a census, reorganized the military, and established a voting assembly that was more representative.
The design of the United States Mercury dime is loaded with symbolism. The front depicts Lady Liberty with a winged cap, symbolizing “freedom” of thought. The reverse features the ancient symbol of the fasces, signifying great power and the olive branch of peace.
The Etruscans were a people of ancient Italy who occupied lands to the north and south of present-day Rome. Their civilization lasted from roughly the 8th century BC to the 1st century BC before finally being incorporated into the Roman Empire.
Titus Livius, known in English as “Livy,” was a Roman citizen and writer who recorded some of the earliest accounts of ancient Rome in his massive work, "History of Rome." To this historian, the modern world is forever indebted to his masterful recording of events of ancient Rome.
The mythical story of the twin brothers Romulus and Remus, who founded the Roman Empire, has been told and retold for generations. The first-century BC Roman historian Livy gives a detailed account of this legendary origin story of a nation that became the world’s first superpower.
The follis coin of the ancient Roman emperor Licinius I, who ruled the eastern kingdom of the Roman Empire from AD 308 to 324, is a fascinating coin and full of history. The obverse of the coin features a portrait of Licinius while the reverse has the god Jupiter, the goddess Victoria, and an eagle.
When America entered World War II with the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the country was immediately thrust into the war. With the war came rationing of all sorts of household staples: butter, sugar, meat, gasoline, and many more. The Office of Price Administration managed the rationing programs.
This article is an introduction to the U.S. Half Cent dating from 1809 to 1836 called the “Classic Head” design. The article provides the coin collector with some basic information, such as, the design types, rarities, and pricing, to them get started collecting this series of U.S. half cents.
The Jefferson nickel series started in 1938 and is still in use today. Over the years the series has undergone many changes: the silver nickels during World War II, the 2004 and 2005 Westward Journey nickels, and finally today's facing portrait of Jefferson and Monticello.
To bring revenue into the state treasuries during the 1930s, states started issuing sales tax tokens to cover the tax due on small purchases. The State of Kansas issued two small metallic tokens used to pay the sales tax on inexpensive items purchased at stores throughout the state.
The drafting of the Declaration of Independence in 1776 was a pivotal moment in American history. This article explores the drafting of the document, highlighting its role in asserting independence, outlining grievances against Britain, and establishing the principles of liberty and equality.
Born in colonial Pennsylvania, Benjamin West showed early talent as an artist. He traveled to Italy to study under master artists as a young man. He quickly became one of England's leading painters of the 18th century.
Barber dimes, or “Liberty Head” dimes as they are also called, were minted from 1892 to 1916 and are popular with coin collectors. The purpose of this article is to give Barber dime collectors a basic understanding of the series, including the history, major rarities, and tips for collecting.
John Forbes Nash, Jr., a brilliant mathematician, was struck down by paranoid schizophrenia. After decades of treatment, he emerged as a great mathematician once again.
André Marie Ampère was a French physicist and mathematician who made important contributions to the fields of chemistry, philosophy, and electromagnetism. He is most remembered for the discovery of the quantitative link between the two then-mysterious forces of electricity and magnetism.
King George III of Great Britain has been portrayed as a ruthless, insane leader who fought to keep the rebellious colonists within the British Empire during the American Revolutionary War. But there is much more to the story.
On May 1, 1960, CIA pilot Francis Gary Powers was shot down deep inside the Soviet Union. The recovery of cameras from the wreckage of his U-2 spy plane and his subsequent capture triggered an international incident, intensifying the Cold War tensions between the Soviet Union and the United States.
The silver shilling coin minted during the reign of King James I of Great Britain is an interesting coin full of history. The coin doesn’t have a date, but we know it was minted in 1605 or 1606 in London. The obverse legend reads: “James King of Great Britain, France and Ireland.”
Dwight D. Eisenhower served as US President from 1953 until 1961. Many major events during Eisenhower's presidency changed the world, including the Korean War, the Space Race, and the Civil Rights Movement.
Mamie Eisenhower was the wife of Dwight D. Eisenhower, the 34th president of the United States. During her eight years as First Lady, she was very popular with the public and known as a wonderful hostess and organizer for White House functions.
King George I of Great Britain, Scotland, and Ireland is often called the “lucky king” because of the string of events that brought the German-born prince to the throne of Britain. During his reign, the power of the monarch diminished, while the modern system of British government arose.
Late in the 18th century, the British colonists living in North America began to rebel due to the harsh treatment they were receiving from the British. Delegates from the colonies came together in Philadelphia in 1774 to form the 1st Continental Congress to deal with the British aggression.
Encased coins are coins mounted in a custom-made holder and used as good luck charms and advertising souvenirs. They come in various holders: round, tea pot, horseshoe shaped, and more. This article introduces the different types of encased coins and gives estimates on their valuations.
Discover the remarkable legacy of Martha Washington as she defined the role of the First Lady in the United States. Explore her pivotal contributions to early American history in this engaging and informative article.
The ancient Greek scholar named Anaximander was the author of the first surviving passage of Western philosophy. He made one of the earliest attempts at a rational explanation of the origin of the universe and did fundamental work in the fields of astronomy, geography, biology, and philosophy.
The ancient Greek philosopher Thales of Miletus was believed to be the first philosopher of the Western tradition. His work laid the groundwork for the advancement of philosophy and ultimately the development of the sciences. Thales was a pre-Socratic philosopher, before Socrates and Plato.
The ancient Greek philosopher and scientist Aristotle touched upon nearly every area of the physical world, from biology to astronomy. In the field of human endeavor, his interests and writing varied from ethics to politics. He was the founder of the Peripatetic School of Philosophy in Athens.
The first coins were struck in ancient Lydia, modern-day Turkey, in about the seventh century BC and were made of a mixture of gold and silver called electrum.
The year 1918 was tragic for many, as an influenza pandemic known as the Spanish flu swept the globe, leaving millions dead in its wake. Learn the timeline from 1914 to 1920.
George Washington, the first president of the United States, had many challenges in building a new nation. Nevertheless, he accomplished many things during his eight years as president: defining the role of a president, setting up a national bank, levying taxes, and quelling a rebellion.
George Washington was the commander-in-chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. His cunning and tenacity as a general was key to America gaining independence from Great Britain.
George Washington started his military career during the beginning of the French and Indian War as a Virginia militia officer. He was forced to surrender Fort Necessity to the French and helped rally the troops after the death of General Braddock during the Battle of the Monongahela.
The pamphlet "Common Sense," written by Thomas Paine in 1776, with the assistance of the patriot leader Dr. Benjamin Rush, was one of the deciding factors that prompted the colonists in America to take up arms and seek independence from Great Britain.
The Declaration of Independence, written in 1776, is one of the founding documents of the United States. Here's a timeline of the key events associated with the Declaration, illustrated with U.S. postage stamps.
The 1921 Missouri Centennial commemorative half-dollar coin was minted to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the state of Missouri’s entrance into the United States in 1821 as the 24th state. The coin features Daniel Boone on the obverse.
Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin was a pioneering astrophysicist and one of the preeminent women astronomers of all time, making many contributions to the fields.
In 1610, the Italian inventor and scientist Galileo Galilei used a small telescope he had made to observe the moons of Jupiter and the phases of Venus. These observations provided further evidence supporting Nicolaus Copernicus' sun-centered universe model.
Do you know the timeline of important events in Christopher Columbus's life? The period covered is from his birth in 1451 to his death in 1506 and includes his voyages to America.
Though Christopher Columbus, the 15th century Italian explorer and navigator, was not the first European to discover North America, he was the first to map parts of two new continents and begin the process of Spanish colonization of the New World. Columbus made four voyages to the Americas.
This timeline of the stock market crash of 1929 gives a chronology of events, quotes from individuals involved in the markets, Dow Jones Industrial Average pricing information, economic data from the 1920s and 1930s, and major newspaper headlines that tell the story of the market crash.
Herbert Hoover, who was the thirty-first president of the United States, was known as the Great Engineer and the Great Humanitarian for his efforts before he became president. After his presidency, he is remembered for the Great Stock Market Crash of 1929 and the start of the Great Depression.
The epic story of the journey across a vast ocean and a life and death struggle for survival of a small band of religious zealots in an unknown new land is the story of the Pilgrims and the birth of Plymouth Colony in New England. They celebrated America's first Thanksgiving in fall of 1621.
A group of religious refugees, the Puritans, founded Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1630, the beginning of modern-day New England.
The Mexican-American War (1846–1848) cost Mexico nearly half its territory and opened western North America to U.S. expansion. This war of conquest fulfilled the promise of “Manifest Destiny.”
Franklin Pierce, the 14th president of the United States, was ill-prepared to lead a nation on the verge of civil war. He served one term from 1853 to 1857. His support of the Kansas-Nebraska Bill brought bloody turmoil to Kansas and opened the door to slavery in the West.
The state of Texas has the unique distinction of being the only state to enter the Union as an independent nation, the Republic of Texas. The issues of slavery and potential war with Mexico would delay Texas from becoming the 28th state in the Union until 1845.
Winfield Scott was an American army officer who served in military conflicts from the War of 1812 through the Civil War. Scott served under presidents from Thomas Jefferson to Abraham Lincoln and built the U.S. Army from a small, disorganized group to a disciplined professional force.
Margaret Taylor was the wife of American President Zachary Taylor, who served in the White House from March 1849 until his sudden death in July of 1850. Mrs. Taylor suffered from ill health much of her life and shied away from the Washington, D.C., social spotlight.
The Morgan silver dollar minted from 1878 to 1921 is the most widely collected United States coin of that era. They were minted in large quantites and are still available to collectors today. This article has tips and helpful information on collecting these treasures of yesteryear.
A Serbian-born inventor and engineer, Nikola Tesla is known for his many inventions, particularly the modern alternating-current (AC) electricity motors and generators. His forceful mind also invented early versions of the radio, robots, and remote control.
Vice President Millard Fillmore became president upon the sudden death of President Zachary Taylor in 1850. Fillmore inherited the heated debate over the spread of slavery, which culminated in a series of laws known as the Compromise of 1850, a bargain that led to a brief truce over slavery.
Andrew Johnson was sworn in as president of the United States after the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. Johnson quickly made many enemies in Congress and became the first president to face an impeachment trial in the Senate.
The framers of the U.S. Constitution allowed a method to remove a sitting president or other civil officers from public office through the process of impeachment. In September 2019, the Speaker of the House announced that formal impeachment hearings would begin against President Donald Trump.
Inventor, scientist, and architect are among the many titles that the brilliant and highly productive seventeenth century scientist Robert Hooke has been given. He was a man of many talents who made discoveries in diverse fields of science and technology.
Sir Isaac Newton revolutionized the sciences of physics and mathematics. His masterwork, the "Principia, is one of the most important works of the science of all time. He was a practicing alchemist and wrote extensively on theology.
Born into slavery, Frederick Douglass eventually escaped his bondage and became one of the most influential African Americans of the 19th century. He supported women's suffrage and the abolitionist cause and held several public offices.
Nicolaus Copernicus was a Polish priest and astronomer in the 16th century. He took the bold step of placing the sun at the center of the solar system instead of the earth--Heliocentric model. His most famous work is "On the Revolutions of Celestial Spheres" published in 1532.
The radical abolitionist John Brown, who many said was insane, led a small group of men to attack the U.S. military arsenal at Harpers Ferry, Virginia, in 1859. Many have regarded this bold act as the spark that ignited the American Civil War.
George Washington Carver is one of America’s best-known 20th century agricultural chemists, educators, and botanists. He invented hundreds of agricultural products that are in use today and helped lift many southern farm families out of poverty through his extension work.
John Hancock was a wealthy New England importer and exporter. In 1768 he was accused of smuggling, and his ship was seized by the British. The incident added fuel to the already smoldering fire that became the American Revolution.
Samuel Adams was an early patriot leader who led the British colonists into the American Revolutionary War and was key in setting up the new government of the United States. Born in Boston, Samuel was the second cousin of President John Adams.
John Quincy Adams was diplomat, secretary of state, and sixth president of the United States during the early nineteenth century. Though his term as president was undistinguished, his service as a diplomat and congressman were exceptional. He was the son of the second president, John Adams.
Melania Trump and Louisa Catherine Adams are the only two first ladies of the United States born outside the country. Louisa was the wife of President John Quincy Adams; her many talents included her ability to socialize in the highest circles, as well as being the woman behind the man.
John Adams was a one of the founding fathers of America—an important leader who helped the colonies gain freedom from Great Britain. In the new republic, he served as a diplomat to European nations, the first vice president, and the second president of the United States from 1797 to 1801.
Counterfeit coins have always been a problem for coin collectors. This article has some basic tips to help you avoid getting ripped off by purchasing fake or altered coins. A little knowledge about avoiding counterfeit coins can save you a lot of money. In China it is legal to make fake U.S. coins.
During President James K. Polk's term, America grew, from the Atlantic to the Pacific Oceans; for many, it was proof of the country's manifest destiny.
Alfred Nobel was a Swedish chemist, industrialist, inventor of dynamite, and founder of the Nobel Prize. Since the first Nobel Prize was awarded in 1901, nearly a thousand winners have each won world renown and a small fortune for their hard work and creativity.
These Civil War letters dated 1864 give us insight into the lives of two Pennsylvania families, the Riders and the Zieglers. While the men fought to preserve the Union, the mother and wife waited at home, hoping and praying for the safety of their men.
Here is a quick and easy board and batten style DIY project to update your home entryway. The whole project cost less than $100 and took only a few hours.
Explore the remarkable life of Julia Gardiner Tyler, First Lady of the United States. This article highlights her influential role, contributions to White House traditions, and her legacy as a determined, outspoken figure during John Tyler's presidency.
In July of 1969, Apollo 11 made a journey to the moon with three brave astronauts aboard, including Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, who walked on the moon.
President Kennedy set a lofty goal of putting a man on the moon before the end of the 1960s. This is the story of the Apollo Program leading up to the moon landing of Apollo 11. During the 1960s, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) expanded rapidly to put a man on the moon.
Michael Collins was the pilot of the Command Module "Columbia" on the journey of the three-man crew to the moon during the epic 1969 Apollo 11 mission. In addition to being an astronaut, he was an experimental test pilot and major general in the U.S. Air Force Reserve. This is his story.
The presidential election of 1840 turned out to be a sea change in the way campaigns were run. All the modern tricks, such as avoiding the issues, telling the people what they wanted to hear, and of course parades, parties, and cheap whiskey, became the norm.
Many highly embellished stories tell of the exploits of the legendary frontiersman, Daniel Boone; the real story only emerged over a century after his death.
The chemist and publisher William Crookes was a well-known figure in the scientific community in Britain during the nineteenth century. In addition to his work as a scientist, he conducted controversial investigations into spiritualism, trying to reconcile the spiritual and physical worlds.
Explore the life of Ernest Rutherford, the father of nuclear physics. Learn about his pioneering research, including the discovery of the atomic nucleus and the development of fundamental atomic models.
J.J. Thomson discovered the electron in 1897 and led the Cavendish Laboratory into a world-class research institution. His work opened the field of subatomic physics to experimental investigation and helped unravel the inner workings of the atom. He developed the "plum pudding" model of the atom.
Buzz Aldrin is an American former astronaut who took part in the Apollo 11 mission. He became the second person to step on the moon. Explore his life story.
Physicist and chemist Marie Curie’s work with radiation paved the way for the development of nuclear physics and cancer therapy. She was the first woman to win the Nobel Prize.
Neil Armstrong, history’s most famous space traveler, learned to fly at a young age and loved it. He honed his flying skills in the cockpit of a jet fighter during the Korean War and ultimately took humanity’s first step on the moon.
Explore the compelling history of the 1961 Bay of Pigs invasion, a pivotal Cold War event. Uncover the factors contributing to its failure, and how this historic episode continues to shape U.S.-Cuba relations, in this in-depth article.
The South-African-born entrepreneur Elon Musk is known for founding the electric car company Tesla, and SpaceX, which launched a rocket that sent the first commercial vehicle to the International Space Station. Musk is now the richest person in the world.
The Cuban Missile Crisis was a confrontation between the United States and the Soviet Union in October 1962 over Soviet nuclear-capable missiles in Cuba. Learn about the leaders at the time.
Alexander Graham Bell was a Scottish-born inventor and scientist credited with inventing the first practical telephone. He helped improve the lives of the deaf and founded the American Telephone and Telegraph Company (now AT&T) in 1885.
Alan Turing was a British mathematician and early computer scientist who had a fundamental role in the advancement of computer science. During World War II, Turing led a team of codebreakers to crack secret messages sent by the German military via the Enigma machine, thus shortening the war.
Steve Jobs, co-founder of the Apple Inc. company, was a legendary entrepreneur and business magnate who helped revolutionize the way we use personal electronics. From the early Apple 1 computer to the iPhone, Steve Jobs has had a lasting impact on modern culture.
Charles Babbage is best remembered for developing a steam-driven mechanical calculator known as the Difference Engine in the 19th century. He later enhanced the design, like the modern programmable computer, which he called the Analytical Engine. Ada Lovelace later assisted him with his work.
Plastics have transformed the world with many new and convenient products we use in our everyday life. However, this nearly indestructible wonder material is clogging our oceans and landfills and slowly working its way into our food chain. Efforts are being made to recycle plastics.
James Butler Hickok, a.k.a. Wild Bill, was a legendary gunfighter and lawman of the Old West. He became the prototype for the tough plainsman who helped settle the American frontier.
William “Buffalo Bill” Cody was a nineteenth-century bison hunter, scout, and fighter who turned into a showman and had a great influence on the modern view of the taming of the Old West. He fought for the Union during the Civil War and became a civilian scout for the US Army after the war.
Henry A. Wallace was an American statesman who served as the 33rd vice president of the United States from 1941 to 1945 under President Franklin D. Roosevelt. He also served as Secretary of Agriculture and Secretary of Commerce.
John Nance Garner was an American lawyer and politician who served as the 32nd Vice President of the United States between 1933 and 1941. He was a member of the Democratic Party with a long career in public service and also served as Speaker of the United States House of Representatives.
Eleanor Roosevelt was First Lady of the United States from 1933 to 1945 as her husband, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, served as President of the United States for four consecutive terms. Throughout her husband’s long political career, Eleanor became an influential political figure in the nation.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt was the 32nd president of the United States from 1933 to 1945, winning four consecutive elections. He led America through the Great Depression and during World War II.
In an ongoing debate surrounding the 1968 assassination of Robert F. Kennedy, researchers and experts explore the possibility of a second shooter. Evidence and eyewitness testimonies are analyzed.
James Buchanan became president just before the United States plunged into the nation’s most deadly war between the pro-slavery southern states and the anti-slavery northern states. As the southern states seceded from the Union one by one in the last months of his presidency, he helplessly stood by.
Some things never change, including sex and politics in the nation's capitol. The Cabinet of President Andrew Jackson was no different than it is today with swirling rumors of scandal and adultery. However, the Petticoat Affair would ruin the careers of those in the president’s inner circle.
Martin Van Buren was the eighth president of the United States from 1837 to 1841. He played a key role in the establishment of the Democratic Party. In 1840, Van Buren lost his re-election bid in 1840 to William Henry Harrison, the nominee of the Whig Party.
John C. Calhoun was a lifelong politician from South Carolina who served two terms as vice present from 1825 to 1832. He was known for his pro-slavery and pro-Southern politics.
Andrew Jackson served as the seventh president of the United States after gaining fame as a general in the United States army and serving in both houses of Congress. During his two terms as president, he sought to act as the direct representative of the “common man.”
Turning 50 years old and not having enough money saved for your retirement is a scary thing. In this article, I offer some ideas to help you cope with your financial condition and prepare for a comfortable retirement.
Tecumseh was one of the greatest American Indians, a Shawnee chief known for his skills as an orator and his talents as a gifted statesman, and as a founder of a Native American confederation that promoted intertribal unity.
With so many retirement savings options available, it is hard to pick the right one for you. This article covers the basics on IRAs, Roth IRAs, 401(k)s, Health Savings Accounts, and more.
The War of 1812, or as it is sometimes called the “Second War of Independence,” was a military conflict between the United States and Great Britain, which started in 1812 and ended in 1815. Though no official borders changed as a result of the war, it did solidify America into one nation.
This article discusses when to start saving for retirement and how to maximize your investments.
Technology and science are playing more important roles in sports, affecting how individuals and teams train, compete, and recover.
James Monroe was a Founding Father of the United States and served as the fifth President of the United States (1817 to 1825). Monroe was the last president of the Virginia dynasty, and his presidency ushered in what is known as the "Era of Good Feelings."
Thomas Jefferson was a man of many talents. In addition to being the third president of the United States, he was an accomplished writer, architect, naturalist, inventor, diplomat, and educator. Additionally, he was the primary author of the Declaration of Independence.
Many regard the contributions to science of the 19th-century Scottish physicist, James Clerk Maxwell, as on par with Isaac Newton and Albert Einstein. He developed the classical theory of electromagnetic radiation which quantified the relationship between electricity, magnetism and light.
Like nearly every president before him, the first year of Donald Trump’s presidency was marked by controversy, a few successes, and some failures.
Ivanka Trump currently serves in the presidential administration as an advisor to the President of the United States. She is also a TV personality, author, businesswoman, and fashion designer.
Melania Trump was the First Lady of the United States as wife of the 45th President of the United States, Donald Trump, from 2017 to 2021. She was born in Novo Mesto, Slovenia, in 1970 and worked as a model and businesswoman.
Donald Trump is an American businessman, television personality, and politician who was the 45th president of the United States from 2017 and 2020..
Dr. Walter Reed was a frontier doctor of the 19th century who was key to ending the spread of yellow fever and confirmed the theory that yellow fever is transmitted by a particular mosquito species rather than by direct contact. The Walter Reed National Military Medical Center is named after him.
Michael Faraday was an English scientist famous for his discoveries in electricity and electrochemistry.
Michelle Obama is an American lawyer who became First Lady of the United States when her husband Barack Obama became president. She served two terms as First Lady from 2007 to 2019 and was the first African-American woman in that position.
This is the second part of a two-part biography of Barack Obama covering his time as the 44th president of the United States from 2009 to 2017 and his retirement from public life.
This is part one of a two-part biography of Barack Obama, from his birth in Hawaii and his estrangement with his father, to his rise through the Illinois Senate until his arrival at the U.S. Senate.
“Black Monday,” as it came to be known, happened on October 19, 1987. It was the day the stock market took its worst one-day percentage drop in history. The crash was not limited to the U.S. as all the major world markets also had significant losses. What were the causes, and will it happen again?
James Madison was the fourth president of the United States and one of main architects of the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights. Before becoming president, he was the secretary of state of President Thomas Jefferson. He is one of the Founding Fathers of the United States of America.
No other vice president has led such a troubled, complicated, unrestrained, and mysterious life as Aaron Burr. The famous and deadly duel between Burr and Alexander Hamilton in 1804 sealed his place in the annals of American History. Burr was never tried for the death of Hamilton.
John Marshall, Chief Justice of the United States, was important in the development of the U.S. legal system, helping to lay the basis for constitutional law and make the Supreme Court what it is today.
Benjamin Franklin was a man with many skills and talents. To name a few, he was an American Founding Father, a diplomat, scientist, inventor, author, and publisher. As a scientist he made key discoveries into the nature of electricity. His invention of the lightning rod brought him worldwide fame.
With all the discussion of whether an athlete should kneel or stand during the singing of the National Anthem, it brings up the question—where did this song we all know come from? The National Anthem was written during the War of 1812 to celebrate the resilience of Americans.
Hillary Rodham Clinton, as wife of President Bill Clinton, served as the First Lady of the United States from 1993 to 2001. This is a short biography of her life and accomplishments during those eight years in the White House as the First Lady.
A short biography of Hillary Rodham Clinton, the wife of Bill Clinton, covering the years from her birth up through her years in Arkansas. She was interested in politics as early as high school.
Bill Clinton was the 42th President of the United States. from 1993 to 2001. He previously served as governor and attorney general for the state of Arkansas. Clinton became the second U.S. president to be impeached after Andrew Johnson.
The Peace silver dollar came into being through the vocal requests of coin collectors to commemorate the end of World War I. It was the last dollar coin to be made of silver for general circulation.
Whether you love it, hate it, or don’t know much about it, marijuana is becoming a part of many American’s lives. It's legal in many states for medical and recreational usage.
Discover the life of visionary rocket scientist Wernher von Braun. From his work on V-2 rockets to his role in the Apollo program, von Braun revolutionized space exploration.
Charles A. Lindbergh was an American aviator, inventor, and military officer known for making the first non-stop transatlantic flight from North America to mainland Europe. In 1932, Lindbergh's infant son was kidnapped and murdered in what the American media called the "Crime of the Century."
Dr. Robert Goddard was an American physicist, engineer, inventor, and professor remembered for being the creator of the first liquid-fueled rocket. Known as the "Father of the Space Age," Goddard made is first successful liquid-fueled rocket in March 1926.
Discover the riveting account of Watergate, the scandal that led to a United States president Richard Nixon’s unprecedented downfall. Uncover the intricate details, political ramifications, and lasting significance of this pivotal event in American politics.
Gerald R. Ford Jr. was an American politician who served as the 38th President of the United States from 1974 to 1977, following the resignation of Richard Nixon. Prior to the being president, he served in the House of Representatives and as vice president of the United States.
Richard Nixon, President of the United States between 1969 and 1974, resigned from the presidency because of his involvement in the Watergate scandal and cover-up.
The Iran-Contra affair was a secret arrangement in the 1980s to provide funds to the Nicaraguan Contra rebels from profits gained by selling arms to Iran during the administration of President Reagan. The ensuing scandal was a black mark on Ronald Reagan's presidency.
Dan Quayle is an American politician who served as the 44th Vice President of the United States from 1989 to 1993, teaming with President George H.W. Bush.
The 1979 Iranian hostage crisis galvanized the nation as 52 Americans were held hostage for over a year in Iran, souring the relationship between the United States and Iran.
President Ronald Reagan was a conservative icon who reshaped American politics and laid the groundwork for the end of the Cold War.
Egyptian President Anwar Sadat, Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin and United States President Jimmy Carter signed the Camp David Accords in 1978, resolving a conflict between Israel and Egypt that had gone on for decades.
John H. Glenn Jr. was an American aviator, engineer, astronaut, and United States Senator from Ohio. In 1962, he was the first American to orbit the Earth, circling it three times. He set another record in 1998, at age 77, when he became the oldest human to journey into space.
The words "In God We Trust" have been on United States money for over a century, first appearing on the 1864 Two Cent coin. How did this motto get on our money? - here is the story.
The former First Lady Rosalynn Carter along with her husband, Jimmy Carter, have been active with the Habitat for Humanity organization and the Carter Center. During her years in the White House, she was active in politics, even sitting in on Cabinet meetings.