HISTORY

Charles Darwin’s Views on the American Civil War

Charles Darwin and Abraham Lincoln never met in person, but they sure would have had plenty to talk about.

18 Dramatic Ways to Express Yourself with Gestures, According to a 19th Century Book

The Strange Tale of Texas’ All-Female Supreme Court

Did Caligula Really Ban Goat Jokes?

10 Odd Jobs From the World War II Military Classification Guide

While some World War II soldiers were storming the beaches of Normandy, others were busy drafting posters to school soldiers on the dangers of venereal diseases.

150 Years Ago: Congress Passes Thirteenth Amendment

For the next few months, we'll be covering the end of the Civil War, exactly 150 years later. This is the first installment of this series.

University of Vermont Libraries Center for Digital Initiatives

Scenes From the History of Snow Removal

In some areas, the weather outside is pretty frightful. And since you've no place to go but outside to shovel, get cozy and read about snow removal in the good old days.

11 Surprising Things That Were Taxed in Colonial America

Here are 11 seemingly strange things that fell under repressive colonial taxation rules.

8 Complaints Real Colonists Had About British Rule

Here are eight real grievances aired by colonial citizens leading up to and during the Revolutionary War—in their own words.

Portrait of Robert Burns, painted by Alexander Nasmyth.

14 Scots Words from the Works of Robert Burns

Polish up on this list of words and phrases from Robert Burns’s complete works. Highlighting the imagination of his Scots language, they are ripe for revival by Robbie revelers old and new.

Alan Turing's Hand-Written Notebook to Go Up For Auction

11 Surprising Locations That Played a Key Role in the Revolution

Here are 11 locations that are often overlooked by the history books, but nevertheless significantly impacted the war effort.

The Bizarre 19th Century Art of Making Furniture Out of Animals

What 11 Common Objects Would Cost in 2015 if Colonial Taxation Still Existed

Here is just how much 11 everyday items would cost if they were taxed today at the same levels they were in colonial America.

11 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Paul Revere

Everyone knows about Paul Revere’s midnight ride, but this patriot did a lot more to help America gain its independence. Here are 11 little-known facts about the Founding Father.

A Month by Month Guide To The Anglo-Saxon Calendar

From the month of cakes to the month of blood sacrifices

11 Ordinary People Who Aided the Revolution

Here are 11 of the unsung heroes who made huge contributions to the American Revolution.

15 Continents that No Longer Exist

15 Exercises You Should Try, According to Old-Timey Cigarette Packs

15 Early Telephone Etiquette Rules We Should Bring Back

Take this opportunity to brush up on some old-fashioned phone etiquette from the days when the technology was brand-new—this way, you won't be caught off-guard next time someone actually dials your number to give you a ring.

11 Amazing Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Benjamin Franklin

Before he was a Founding Father, the multifaceted, ever-experimental Benjamin Franklin was a great many other things—from street performer to political cartoonist, and even a middle-aged widow. Here are a few highlights of Franklin’s early days.

11 Things You Might Not Have Known About Samuel Adams

His name comes up in lots of conversations about beer, but Samuel Adams was an American patriot and a huge influence on the Revolutionary War. Here are a few things you may not know about this founding father.

11 of History’s Biggest Pranksters

When you think about the first woman to win a Nobel Prize, the first thing that comes to mind probably isn’t, “Marie Curie, you rascal.”

When France Has Faced Terror Before

The attack on Charlie Hebdo is not an outlier, but rather a visible example of the threat France has long faced.

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