History
The History of Ordinary Things: Nutty as a Fruitcake
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- Written by Doris Montag Doris Montag
The phrase “nutty as a fruitcake” was first used in 1935 in reference to Southern bakers who loaded their fruitcakes with nuts. But what is the history of this heavy, fruit-laden cake?
6 Little-Known Stories about Pearl Harbor
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- Written by Lauren Berg Lauren Berg
More than 80 years later, the Dec. 7, 1941, attack on Pearl Harbor remains significant as one of only a few times the United States has been attacked by a foreign adversary on its own soil.
The History of Ordinary Things: Military Sewing Kits – Honoring Our Veterans
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- Written by Doris Montag Doris Montag
First used in print in 1749, the term “housewife” has been used to denote a sewing kit commonly used by the military. The pocket sewing kit was also known as a “hussif” or “hussy” (also spelled “huswife”).
The History of Ordinary Things: Husking Tools and the Homestead Act of 1862
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- Written by Doris Montag Doris Montag
The 1862 Homestead Act, signed by Lincoln prior to the Civil War, was an important piece of legislation about federal land.
Writer Recalls Sept. 11 Attacks from D.C.
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- Written by James Patterson James Patterson
Sept. 11, 2001, began like many busy mornings for me. I was in my Washington office and ready to leave for an appointment with a colleague near Georgetown University. Later, I had a meeting on Capitol Hill and, after that, I planned to take Amtrak to Penn Station in New York.
The History of Ordinary Things: The Shocking History of Facial Powder
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- Written by Doris Montag Doris Montag
Across history, men and women whitened their skin with facial powder to show their respectability and social class. It was also intended to hide facial blemishes, such as smallpox pocks or aged skin. Only much later was powder used to “enhance natural beauty.”
It Was 50 Years Ago Today: ‘You Don’t Mess Around with Jim’
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- Written by Randal C. Hill Randal C. Hill
In Jim Croce’s brief career — he died at age 30 in a 1973 Louisiana plane crash — Croce released five Top 10 singles, the first of which was one of the best story songs of modern times.
Radio Days and Arthur Godfrey Time
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- Written by James Patterson James Patterson
National Radio Day is Aug. 20. Radio has played an important role in American history with live broadcasts of presidential speeches, war coverage, commentary, and other live news.
The History of Ordinary Things: Steam-Powered Engines – Not So Ordinary
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- Written by Doris Montag Doris Montag
For many of us, summer means outings to the state fair and steam engine shows. But what do we know about the story and significance of steam power?