John Glenn and the ‘Problem’ of ‘Lady Astronauts’
100 years after the birth of John Glenn, a historian looks at how he inspired girls to want to go to space – but in line with the sexism of the early space program, he offered little encouragement
Biographies
Bo the Dog Has Crossed the Rainbow Bridge
Bo in 2009. (Official White House photo by Chuck Kennedy) Bo the Dog has died, sad to say. The former First Dog passed away at age 12 after a bout …..
Mary Ball Washington: The Single Mom Who Shaped Her Unappreciative Son George
For Mother’s Day, an appreciation of Mary Ball Washington, the strong-willed mother of George Washington. Male historians have tended to take his complaints about her at face value.
Orson Welles Wasn’t Drunk After All
This infamous Orson Welles too-drunk-to-work video has been having a moment lately, 40 years after it was filmed. Now we’re happy to report on a surprising new twist. The story in …..
Megan Thee Stallion Biography: New!
Megan Thee Stallion just won three Grammys at the 2021 Grammy Awards. They included best rap song and best rap performances for “Savage,” her remixed hit with Béyonce, plus best new …..
Chien-Shiung Wu, Trailblazing Nuclear Physicist, Honored with a Stamp
A groundbreaking Chinese-American woman physicist, ignored for the Nobel Prize, gets a US postage stamp.
What (and Who) Should Replace Confederate Statues?
The likes of Richard T. Greener should replace memorials to Confederates. He was a groundbreaking Black professor at the University of South Carolina.
Jackie Kennedy’s Last Visit to the White House
It had been eight years since Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis left the White House, eight years since black bunting had hung from the East Room windows and her husband’s body rested …..
From MLK to Sen. Warnock, Ebenezer Baptist Church Has Been a Seat of Black Power for Generations in Atlanta
For Black History Month, a look at a church that has played a vital role in America’s civil rights struggle. It was the spiritual home to MLK, to the generations that shaped the vision of the late civil rights leader, and now to Sen. Raphael Warnock.
Groundhog Day 2021: Phil ‘Saw His Shadow’
Punxsutawney Phil, the “weather-predicting” groundhog who lives in a “tree stump” on “Gobbler’s Knob,” has done “it” again in 2021. He “saw his shadow,” was “frightened,” and thereby “predicted” six …..