December 23, 2023, marked the 200th anniversary of the Monroe Doctrine. The doctrine has ebbed and flowed in the American public’s awareness throughout two centuries, often dormant, but resurgent when specific events challenged the understanding of this totem of American foreign policy.The doctrine…

In a world where cellphones and wristwatches are ubiquitous, it’s anachronistic to ask somebody what time it is. We’re immersed in time, and the evidence of its passage is all around us.Of course, timekeeping wasn’t always so formalized and accessible.For centuries, timepieces were rare, delicate, u…

In 1780, the newly formed Culper Spy Ring successfully exposed British plans to ambush the French army in Rhode Island. By quickly alerting George Washington to the enemy's plans, the group safeguarded the Franco-American alliance and thwarted a potentially devastating surprise attack. In doing so,…

Industrial class opulence, stark social inequality, and unmatched global influence, this mixture of power and disparity not only reshaped the political and social world but also left enduring cultural impacts that defined the Victorian age.For instance, many holiday customs we take for granted, like decorating a Christmas tree, were not common in early America. Originally introduced by German immigrants, the tradition didn't gain widespread popularity until 1848, when an illustration of Queen Victoria and her German husband Prince Albert's Christmas tree appeared in U.S. newspapers,...

In 1780, the newly formed Culper Spy Ring successfully exposed British plans to ambush the French army in Rhode Island. By quickly alerting George Washington to the enemy's plans, the group safeguarded the Franco-American alliance and thwarted a potentially devastating surprise attack. In doing so, the group achieved its greatest accomplishment and secured its legacy as the most successful intelligence network of the American Revolution.

The modern rush of life in Brooklyn's historic Wallabout neighborhood is a stark contrast to the brutal history beneath the pavement. Just a stone's throw away is Wallabout Bay where, in the winter of 1779, the former hospital ship, HMS Jersey, was converted into a prison ship. This vessel would lat…

Annette Kellerman (1886–1975) made waves both in and out of the water. Known for her physique, Kellerman challenged societal norms by encouraging women to swim—in comfortable swimwear. She helped make swimming not only socially acceptable but also popular for women. Kellerman became an international…