Over 130 years ago, a pioneer in investigative journalism faked her way into an insane asylum, exposing the horrible conditions within and spurring a wave of public outcry. This is the story of the trailblazing journalist Nellie Bly’s famous exposé. Nellie Bly’s journalism career was born in 1885, after the Pittsburgh Dispatch published a column titled “What Girls Are Good For”. The article called working … Continue reading The Story of Nellie Bly and her Asylum Exposé

Regretfully, the Pleistocene epoch occurred slightly before our time. That is to say, it began around 2.5 million years ago and ended around 11,700 years ago. The geological period was characterized by the evolution of humans, drastic shifts in the climate, the last ice age, and, of course, megafauna. Megafauna are basically very large animals, such as elephants and whales (the exact specifications for what … Continue reading Five Pleistocene Megafauna We Dearly Miss

The Genesis of a Beverage Icon In the late 19th century, in the bustling city of Atlanta, Georgia, a pharmacist named John Stith Pemberton embarked on a quest to create a refreshing tonic. Pemberton, seeking a remedy for his own morphine addiction and inspired by the popularity of patent medicines of the era, concocted a syrupy elixir intended to alleviate fatigue and headaches. Little did … Continue reading Unraveling the Origins of Coca-Cola: A Journey Through Time

A Tale of Two Rivers Nestled along the banks of the Grand River and the picturesque shores of the mighty Lake Michigan, the city of Grand Rapids, Michigan, boasts a rich tapestry of history, culture, and innovation. Founded in 1826 by Louis Campau, a French fur trader, Grand Rapids quickly emerged as a bustling hub of commerce and industry, fueled by the abundant natural resources … Continue reading Exploring the Heart of West Michigan: The Vibrant Legacy of Grand Rapids

“Remember, remember, the fifth of November!” Guy Fawkes Day, also known as Guy Fawkes Night, is a celebration that has been observed for more than 400 years. It commemorates the failed ‘Gunpowder Plot,’ which was an attempt by Guy Fawkes and his co-conspirators to blow up the Houses of Parliament in protest against religious persecution during the reign of King James I. The celebration is … Continue reading Guy Fawkes Day: What’s Happening Across the Pond?

Halloween is one of the most celebrated holidays in history. Halloween is celebrated in many different ways. Some cultures celebrate Halloween for a whole week. In this article, you will learn the origin of one of the most iconic and popular holidays in history. Origin The origins of Halloween goes back to the ancient Celtic Festival of Samhain, a pagan celebration where the Celtic people … Continue reading The Origin and Transformation of Halloween

After winning the U.S. Open in 1972, women’s tennis star Billie Jean King took a stand against the unequal prize money between men and women in that year’s tournament. Like previous years, at that year’s rendition of the world renowned tournament (as well as countless other sporting events), female competitors were making significantly less than their male counterparts. In a speech shortly after her victory, … Continue reading Billie Jean King and the Road to Equality

Although there were and are far more than just ten inspirational women in our world, let’s take a look at these fantastic female figures who have emboldened so many. 1. Anna May Wong (1905-1961) Anna May Wong is considered Hollywood’s first Asian-American movie star. She overcame the racism that she faced during her career, going on to earn roles in over 50 domestic and foreign … Continue reading Ten Fantastic Female Figures

It’s extremely easy to forget that while all of the other months of the year have 30 or 31 days, February ends on the 28th, or on a leap year, the 29th. Find it weird that it’s March already? Well, the reason that February is cut short dates back to the second king of Rome, Numa Pompilius. Rome’s lunar calendar was at first 10 months … Continue reading The Odd Month Out: Why February only has 28 Days

(Cw: Discussion of racism, inequality, race riots, and hate crimes targeted toward black and brown people) What is Black History Month? Black History Month is a time to reflect on the struggles and successes of the African Diaspora (1) throughout our nation’s history. It is a time to recognize and celebrate Black contributions to our society and to acknowledge the ongoing fight for equality. Black … Continue reading A Guide to Black History Month