GOVERNMENT

Hawaii Overprint Note from the World War II era.

That Time the Government Burned $200 Million of Hawaii’s Cash

During WWII, the U.S. government was scared that Japan might take all of Hawaii's money. Here's what they did to stop it.

Painting showing Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Roger Sherman, Robert Livingston, and Benjamin Franklin presenting the first draft of the Declaration of Independence to the Second Continental Congress.

The Pursuit of Happiness: The True Meaning of the Misunderstood Phrase

When the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776, both 'pursuit' and 'happiness' had secondary definitions that change the meaning of the iconic quote.

Alex Trebek is shown shortly before shaking his head in disappointment at a contestant.

‘Jeopardy!’ Icon Alex Trebek Gets a Stamp of Approval From the Postal Service

The late ‘Jeopardy!’ host is being honored in a Forever stamp sheet. The current cost of a Trebek Forever Stamp is 73 cents; a sheet of 20 is $14.60.

Parades are a big part of the festivities.

10 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About the Fourth of July

One Founding Father thought we were celebrating on the wrong day, but that hasn’t stopped Americans from pulling out all the stops on July 4.

How Do Photo-Averse Amish Deal With ID Cards?

Many Amish believe photos are forbidden. So how can they do anything requiring a photo ID?

Andrew Jackson has been on the $20 for less time than you think.

Andrew Jackson Hasn’t Always Been On the $20 Bill

America's seventh president has been on the $20 bill for less time than you might assume.

Judy Garland, Ray Bolger, Jack Haley, Bert Lahr, and Frank Morgan promoting 'The Wizard of Oz'

How ‘Friend of Dorothy’ Became Code in the Gay Community

In the 1980s, the U.S. Navy carried out a futile search for the “real” Dorothy.

Meet Opal Lee—the 97-Year-Old Activist Known as the ‘Grandmother of Juneteenth’

Is Juneteenth a federal holiday? Yes—and we have Opal Lee to thank for that.

Denmark Recalls a Popular Instant Ramen for Extreme Spice Levels

Denmark’s food agency believes Samyang's ramen is too hot for Danes to handle.

Organized comic book burnings were a thing in the late '40s.

‘Let Us Commit Them to the Flames’: The Comic Book Burnings of the 1940s

Comics were thought to cause juvenile delinquency. So people took the reasonable step of setting them on fire.

William McKinley (first row, center) and his wife, Ida (to his left), meet with the Flower Delegation.

The Presidential Candidate Who Campaigned From His Porch

Unwilling to leave his ill wife's side during a presidential campaign, William McKinley decided to run for president from his front porch.

‘Finish Him!’: When ‘Mortal Kombat’ Caused a Moral Panic

The hyper-violent arcade smash of 1992 was too bloody even for Congress.

In his House Divided speech, Lincoln feared the outcome of the Missouri Compromise would be civil war.

“A House Divided Against Itself Cannot Stand”: Deciphering Lincoln’s Warning About Civil War

In his famous 1858 speech, Abraham Lincoln warned that only civil war would resolve the issue of slavery in the U.S. He wasn’t wrong.

Memorial Day at Los Angeles National Cemetery.

Why Memorial Day Is Always on a Monday

About a century after Americans started celebrating Memorial Day, Congress shifted the holiday to a Monday—here’s why.

4 Misconceptions About Congress

Do members of Congress get free health insurance? And do they all live in Washington, D.C.? We’re tackling those questions and more in the latest episode of Misconceptions.

Spies use slang to keep a lid on things.

Spy Slang: 24 Top Secret Terms You Should Know

Going undercover? Don’t forget your pocket litter, otherwise you might be targeted for some wet work.

This fox is obviously not actually radioactive.

When the U.S. Tried to Win World War II with Radioactive Foxes

Allied officials came up with some strange strategies to win World War II. Operation Fantasia planned to use glow-in-the-dark foxes to spook Japanese forces into defeat.

Joseph Welch (left), with Sen. Joe McCarthy (right), at the Senate Subcommittee on Investigations' McCarthy-Army hearings, June 9, 1954.

“Have You No Sense of Decency?”: The Question That Took Down Senator Joe McCarthy

Joseph N. Welch is credited with bringing down the fearmongering Sen. Joseph McCarthy during a congressional hearing in 1954. But his famous plea has since taken on a life of its own.

5 Wild Ideas Rejected by the Constitutional Convention

In researching his latest book, ‘The Year of Living Constitutionally,’ author A.J. Jacobs came across some bizarre suggestions floated by members of the Constitutional Convention for the new United States government.

Detainees at California's Manzanar War Relocation Center.

Researchers Have Published a List Honoring the More Than 125,000 Japanese Americans Incarcerated During WWII

The Irei Project and Ancestry have teamed up to publish the most comprehensive list ever assembled of the more than 125,000 Japanese Americans who were incarcerated on American soil during WWII.

In the winter of 1861, former president Franklin Pierce found himself accused of treason.

The Bizarre Story Behind How Franklin Pierce Was Accused of Treason

An anonymous letter supposedly from a member of a secret society claimed that Franklin Pierce was involved in treasonous activities against the American government—an accusation that infuriated the former president.

Missouri Lawmaker Aims to Bring Back Dueling

The history of political dueling in the U.S. doesn’t end with Hamilton and Burr.

'Organic' doesn't necessarily mean 'healthy.'

What Does 'Organic' Mean?

To be certified as organic, farmers can’t use prohibited synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, or hormones for three full years before applying. Further, any animals they have must be raised on organic foods.

Smokey Bear with Girl Scouts in front of the U.S. Capitol.

How Smokey Bear Helped Win World War II

Smokey Bear’s first ad slogan wasn’t quite as catchy as “Only YOU can prevent forest fires.”

PREV NEXT