WHEN A VACCINATION WENT VIRAL
Polio wasted millions. Then one man and his team made the miracle. A vaccine!
I DREAMED I SAW JOE HILL
Labor history is an American tapestry of struggle and strikes. But some stories are told in song. . .
GREAT DAY IN HARLEM
Like the music it celebrated, the iconic photo of jazz greats was mostly improv.
GERTRUDE EDERLE, QUEEN OF THE WAVES
A century ago, Gertrude Ederle swam the English Channel. She swam it faster than anyone — man or woman.
THE FIFTIETH FOURTH
On July 4, 1826, the nation’s 50th birthday, the strangest thing happened. . .
THE GODMOTHER OF JUNETEENTH
A mob attack on June 19 left Opal Lee determined to make Juneteenth a national holiday. Finally, at age 94. . .
THE HAT THAT WON THE WEST
From Fedoras to bowlers, hats come and go but only one became a legend — with a name behind it.
THE MAN WHO CONQUERED THE "RED PLAGUE"
“The world’s debt to Dr. William Foege is enormous.”
SEQUOYAH AND THE "TALKING LEAVES"
The miracle of writing evaded the natives until one man made the leap.
A LEARNED JUDGE AND HIS "POETRY OF LIBERTY"
With America at war, Judge Learned Hand deftly defined “The Spirit of Liberty”
THE ATTIC READS: NOT TOO LATE
Think it’s too late to do anything about global warming? Rebecca Solnit says, “think again.”
THE MAN WHO BROKE JIM CROW
Jokes about lawyers and “activist” judges. Time to remember when Thurgood Marshall took the law and Constitution at their word.
THE REPORTER AND THE "GHOSTS OF MISSISSIPPI"
When Jerry Mitchell dug into “cold cases,” justice delayed was no longer denied.
THE SAY-HEY KID AND "THE CATCH"
Seventy years ago, Willie Mays made a play they're still talking about.
"THE GIFT" AND AMERICAN GIVING
The hardscrabble Osceola McCarty gave her life savings to young students. But was she the only "better angel?"