April 11, 1954 was the most boring day in modern history with only two events: the birth of Abdullah Atalar and elections in Belgium. April 18, 1930 was also dull in the UK with no news reported. However, historical events occurred on April 11 in other years, and many famous people were born on that […]
Thanksgiving in the US and Canada is a secular holiday for giving thanks, but both religious and non-religious people observe it. The first Thanksgiving is disputed, but the modern holiday is based on the 1621 celebration in Plymouth. The menu was limited, and the festivities included dancing and singing. President George Washington declared Thanksgiving the […]
The wild turkey was one of America’s first exports to Europe, where it was domesticated and crossbred. Turkeys are a popular Thanksgiving dish in the US, but the bird’s population has been reduced by hunting and logging. Americans consume an average of 16.7 pounds of turkey per year and the president ceremoniously pardons a turkey […]
Black History Month celebrates the achievements of African Americans in various fields during February. Dr. Carter G. Woodson founded Negro History Week in 1926 to highlight African American contributions to American society. The week was expanded to a month in 1976. Critics believe black history should be celebrated year-round. Black History Month is a month-long […]
Family medical history is a record of illnesses and diseases that a patient’s blood relatives have had, which is important in assessing an individual’s risk for many different diseases. It can be difficult to put together, but it is crucial for doctors to decide what types of tests patients should have and when they should […]
The Navajo Nation is the largest Native American tribe in the US, with a history of early tribal engagement, conflict with Europeans, and integration into modern society. They lived a nomadic lifestyle before adapting to the ways of neighboring tribes. The US government attempted to make treaties with them, but a series of failed attempts […]
Medicaid is a government program providing healthcare to low-income individuals, with eligibility criteria varying by state. It was created in 1965 and monitored by federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Medicaid’s history includes conflict over government involvement in healthcare, and various adjustments to maintain its intent. Dental services were added in 1989, and the […]
The teddy bear was invented in the US and Germany in the early 20th century. The name comes from a hunting trip by President Theodore Roosevelt, who refused to shoot a tied-up bear. A soft toy was created and became popular, with millions sold by Steiff’s company. Teddy bears remain a beloved toy today. The […]
The history of the US national anthem, “The Star Spangled Banner,” dates back to 1750. It was officially made the national anthem in 1931 and is notoriously difficult to sing. The song was composed by John Stafford Smith for the Anacreonotic Society of London, and Francis Scott Key wrote the poem “In Defense of Fort […]
Veterans Day, originally known as Armistice Day, commemorates all American veterans and is celebrated on November 11. It is a federal holiday, with parades and visits to military cemeteries. In other countries, it is known as Remembrance Day and symbolized by the red poppy. Veterans Day was first celebrated in 1919, when it was known […]
Cannabis has been used by humans for thousands of years for fiber, medicine, and psychoactive purposes. Its use spread from India to other cultures, and it has positive medical properties, but also negative effects. In the early 20th century, the US government criminalized cannabis, but debates about its legality continue today. Cannabis, also known as […]
Silk has a long history and was guarded by the Chinese for over 2000 years. Sericulture is laborious, making silk a luxury fabric. Silk production spread to Japan and Europe, and spies smuggled silkworms to Europe. The Muslim empire also spread sericulture practices. In the 20th century, sericulture was largely confined to China and Japan, […]
Barbed wire played a crucial role in settling the American West for agriculture and cattle ranching. Its invention by Joseph Glidden in 1860 incorporated cowboys, Indians, guerrilla fence cutting, and land activism. Barbed wire is cheap and effective, allowing many miles of material to be installed and maintained quickly. However, it was strongly opposed by […]
Australia was settled by humans 42,000-48,000 years ago, encountering megafauna that later became extinct. Europeans arrived in the 17th century, and British colonization began in 1788. Indigenous peoples suffered mistreatment and disease, and traditional land ownership was not recognized until 1992. The colonies became independent and united as a federation in 1901. Today, Australia is […]
Father’s Day is a secular holiday celebrated in many countries to acknowledge the role of fathers. It is generally celebrated in summer months, with gifts and outings. In the US, it is celebrated on the third Sunday in June. It was officially declared a holiday in 1966 by President Lyndon Johnson. Father’s Day is a […]
Rice cultivation has a fascinating history, with prevailing theories suggesting it was first domesticated in Asia. African wild rice was cultivated early on, but was largely discarded when traders brought Asian rice to Africa. Rice cultivation in Europe began in the 10th century, and European explorers likely brought rice to the New World. Rice is […]
Rice cultivation has a fascinating history, with prevailing theories suggesting it was first domesticated in Asia. Rice cultivation in Africa followed two paths, and it took longer for rice to be cultivated in Europe. European explorers brought rice to the “New World,” and eventually, rice cultivation occurred in Australia. Rice is an important crop worldwide […]
Fireworks have a long history, originating in China in the 1st century BC. They were brought to Europe by Marco Polo in the 13th century and developed into elaborate displays with exotic colors and designs. In the 20th century, manufacturers began to worry about pollution and started producing environmentally friendly fireworks. Today, fireworks are closely […]
The Arizona state seal has undergone many changes since its creation in 1863, with the only consistent element being the state motto “Ditat Deus.” The original seal, designed by Richard McCormick, was criticized for its resemblance to a baking soda label. The current seal, adopted in 1911, features a miner, a mountain range, a reservoir […]
The Cherokee Indians originally inhabited the southeastern United States, but now over 200,000 live in northeastern Oklahoma. Key events in their history include meeting Europeans in the 1500s, the Treaty of Paris, the Treaty of Holston, and the Trail of Tears. Sequoyah created a writing system for the Cherokee language in 1819. The Cherokee Indians […]
