What if early modern Europe had rejected deadly white lead makeup? Three grounded scenarios on beauty, medicine, and power if poison had gone out of fashion.
History
Harry Truman’s ‘Morning Medicine’: Bourbon, Myths & Reality
Did Harry Truman really start each day with a shot of bourbon? How much did he drink, and was he an alcoholic? The story, the context, and what it tells us.
What 1973 Words About the Opposite Sex Reveal
In 1973, a conceptual art project asked men and women to describe the opposite sex in a single word. Here are 5 big things those answers reveal about gender.
Can Fascism Be Stopped Peacefully? History vs Myth
Is it true that fascism is never stopped without violence? A historian’s look at interwar Europe, post‑1945 cases, and what “success” really means.
Working After 9/11: What Happened to WTC Jobs?
On September 12, 2001, thousands of World Trade Center workers had no office and no clear job. How employers, insurance, and law handled work after 9/11.
5 Things a 1925 Brooklyn Kid’s Dream Job Reveals
In 1925, a Brooklyn photographer asked kids what they wanted to be when they grew up. Their answers reveal class, gender, race, and the future of work.
What 2006 Looked Like From 2026
From the Taliban’s comeback to Taylor Swift’s debut, 2006 is now “history.” How historians think about a year many of us still remember, and why 20 years matters.
What If the US Had Never Become So Divided?
A counterfactual look at how the United States might have stayed more united: from Reconstruction choices to media, money, and national service.
Ethel Hays and the Cartoon Style Wars of the 1920s
In 1925, cartoonist Ethel Hays mocked outdated art styles in “Styles Don’t Fit The Age As They Used To.” Here’s what the cartoon meant and why it still matters.
Intrusive Sleep and ADHD: When Boredom Knocks You Out
Intrusive sleep in ADHD is sudden drowsiness or sleep when interest drops. Learn what causes it, how it differs from laziness, and what people can do.