The History of Ordinary Things: Festive Fireworks

A firework requires three key components — an oxidizer, a fuel, and a chemical mixture — to produce the color. When any element burns, its electrons get excited, and it releases energy in the form of light — in this case, fireworks. But how was this discovered?

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How the Ancients Celebrated the First Day of Summer

Summer begins in 2023 on June 21 with the summer solstice, the day when the Earth’s axis tilts our northern hemisphere most prominently toward the sun.

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The History of Ordinary Things: What Could Be More Ordinary than Salt?

Salt, or sodium chloride (NaCl), is one of the oldest forms of food seasoning and is essential to human and animal health.

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The History of Ordinary Things: ‘Keepsies’ and Your Marbles

Playing with small, round balls may have started with cave people. Clay balls have been found in the tombs of Egypt, in Native American burial grounds, and in the ancient Aztec pyramids.

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The History of Ordinary Things: Traditions of Decorated Eggs

Today the decorated egg is a well-recognized Easter symbol. Many of us have spent Easter week boiling eggs to paint in colors from pastel to army green (the result of mixing all the colors together).

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The History of Ordinary Things: Ever Wonder about the Cigarette Filter?

Evidence of smoking was first documented in 1556 in a report of an English sailor “emitting smoke from his nostrils.” French diplomat and scholar Jean Nicot (origin of the word nicotine) introduced tobacco to France in 1560.

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The History of Ordinary Things: Fun Facts on Valentines

“Valentine” was a common, gender-neutral name during the third to sixth centuries. It is of Latin origin and means “strong and healthy.”

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It Was 50 Years Ago Today: ‘Rocky Mountain High’

John Denver and his wife, Annie, moved to Aspen, Colorado, in December 1970, hoping to purchase a home in the couple’s favorite part of their favorite state. What they discovered was that everything cost much more than they could afford.

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COVER STORY: Black History Month Celebrates Those Who Blazed the Trail

For nearly 250 years, America held Black men, women, and children as slaves. They were considered “property” and worked as servants and on plantations, not by choice, and for little compensation, often suffering severe abuse.

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