Why the Soviet Union Invaded AfghanistanThe 1979 invasion triggered a brutal, nine-year civil war and contributed significantly to the USSR’s later collapse.Read more
Why So Many Foreigners Volunteered to Fight in the Spanish Civil WarMore than 35,000 volunteers from 52 countries poured into Spain to help fight fascist-backed Nationalists led by Francisco Franco.Read more
How 19th-Century German Immigrants Revolutionized America’s Beer Industry‘Beer barons’ like Pabst, Schlitz and Busch forged brewing dynasties with their pale, effervescent lager.Read more
The Top-Secret WWII Unit That Fooled the NazisThe “Ghost Army” used creative tricks such as inflatable tanks and sound effects to dupe German forces.Read more
What Are the Four Waves of Feminism?The history of established feminist movements in the United States roughly breaks down into four different time periods.Read more
Clara Barton: 7 Facts about the Civil War Nurse and Medical PioneerThe founder of the Red Cross dedicated her life to helping others and fighting for equality.Read more
How a Devastating Accident Changed Frida Kahlo’s Life and Inspired Her ArtAfter a trolley car collided with a bus carrying the 18-year-old Mexican artist, pain and resilience emerged as perennial themes in her work.Read more
How NAACP’s Walter White Risked His Life to Investigate LynchingsWalter White leveraged his fair complexion to investigate some of the country’s worst attacks against African Americans.Read more
Five Pop Culture Trends That Helped Shape the 1980sPower dressing. ’Eatertainment.’ Fad toys that sparked near-riots. Which trends did you participate in?Read more
Abraham Lincoln’s Uneasy Relationship With Native AmericansLincoln signed laws that gave away millions of acres of tribal land. And he approved the mass execution of 38 Dakota Sioux warriors.Read more
10 Things You May Not Know About the Lincoln MemorialRejected designs include an Egyptian-style pyramid. And his hand gestures have symbolic meaning.Read more
The Harrowing Rescue Missions to Save the Donner Party SurvivorsAs the Donner Party fought to survive in the snowy Sierra Nevada mountains, four brave rescue missions ensured some traumatized members made it out alive.Read more